Union City, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Classification
- Fowl legally an "exotic animal"
- Permit
- City Manager permit required first
- Nuisance
- Straying fowl is a nuisance
- Exempt fowl
- Doves and pigeons excluded
- Ag-zone setback
- 200 feet, unless household pets
Summary
Union City classifies chickens and other fowl as "exotic animals," so keeping them requires a City Manager permit; letting fowl stray onto a neighbor's property is a separate nuisance violation.
"Exotic animal" means any of the following: ... 4. Any chickens, roosters, cocks geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, squabs or similar fowl... No person shall own or keep any exotic animal without first applying to and receiving from the City Manager a permit to do so.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Section 8.20.010(4) lists chickens, roosters, geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, and squabs among "exotic animals," and Section 8.20.020 requires an application and City Manager permit before owning or keeping one. Separately, Section 8.40.020 makes it a nuisance for chickens or other fowl (except doves and pigeons) to fly at large or go onto another person's property. In the Agricultural (A) zoning district only, Section 18.48.080 exempts fowl kept as "domestic pets in household numbers" from the 200-foot coop setback that otherwise applies near residential lots.
Violations & Fines
Keeping fowl without an exotic-animal permit, or letting them stray onto a neighbor's property, violates Title 8; the City Manager can impound the birds and deny or revoke the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Union City without a permit?
What if my chickens get into a neighbor's yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
How Union City compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle chickens & livestock.