Union City has no dedicated backyard-hen permit, but keeping poultry and livestock is governed by the Title 18 zoning code, which confines farm animals largely to the Agricultural (A) District. Barnyard animals and poultry are prohibited inside mobilehome parks.
Union City's animal-keeping rules sit in the Title 18 zoning code rather than in a standalone livestock ordinance. The Agricultural (A) District, Chapter 18.48, is the zone where commercial agriculture and farm animals are principally permitted; standard residential districts (Title 18, Chapter 18.32) do not list livestock as a use. The Municipal Code separately makes it unlawful to keep barnyard animals or poultry within any mobilehome park. There is no citywide hen-count cap published in the animal code, so chicken-keeping turns on the zoning district and on nuisance, noise (Chapter 8.28), and sanitation provisions. Residents should confirm their parcel's zoning with the Union City Planning Division before adding poultry or livestock.
Keeping poultry or livestock in a district that does not permit them, or inside a mobilehome park, is a code violation. Odor, noise, or unsanitary conditions can be cited as a public nuisance, with the city ordering removal.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Union City does not restrict backyard composting, and its Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC 18.112) requires compost in permitted landscape installat...
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Union City has no ordinance banning artificial turf on private property, and California Civil Code 4735 voids HOA rules prohibiting synthetic grass. For perm...
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Union City's Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC Chapter 18.112) implements California's MWELO. New landscapes of 500+ sq ft and rehab projects of 2,50...
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Union City does not prohibit residential rainwater capture. California's Rainwater Capture Act allows rooftop collection without a water right, and the City'...
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Union City's water purveyor is the Alameda County Water District (ACWD), serving the Tri-City area. ACWD enforces permanent water-waste prohibitions year-rou...
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All weeds on streets, sidewalks, and private property in Union City are declared a public nuisance under UCMC Chapter 7.08. The Fire Chief gives a ten-day no...
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