San Buenaventura allows backyard chicken keeping only after issuance of a Director's Permit (Animal Raising Permit) under SBMC §24.210.050.11. Hens are limited to four per lot, roosters are prohibited, and coops must sit at least 35 feet from any building used for human habitation other than the on-site dwelling. Livestock (cattle, horses, goats, swine) is not permitted in the R-1 residential zones; agricultural keeping is confined to A (Agricultural) zoning. The same code section requires a covered, predator-resistant coop kept outside the front yard setback. Slaughtering and on-site sale of chickens or eggs are expressly forbidden. Permit conditions are enforceable by the Community Development Director and may be revoked under SBMC Ch. 24.570 for nuisance, odor, noise, or rodent attraction complaints. Outside city limits, the Ventura County Zoning Ordinance governs livestock densities.
Process: applicant files a Director's Permit (Animal Raising) with the Planning Division and posts public notice. Standard conditions adopted in the 2021 administrative order (PROJ-14904) and rooted in SBMC §24.210.050.11 specify: (a) chickens only, no roosters; (b) maximum 4 hens; (c) 35-foot setback from neighboring dwellings; (d) coop must be in rear yard (outside front-yard setback), covered, predator-resistant, well-ventilated; (e) outdoor enclosure must be fenced; (f) feed stored in rat-proof containers; (g) no slaughter; (h) no on-site sale of birds or eggs. Hens must remain inside the coop or enclosed run unless directly supervised. Coop must be kept clean, dry, and sanitary at all times. The site must comply with all underlying R-zone setbacks (typically 5 feet side/rear for accessory structures). For larger lots in A or RA zones, additional livestock may be allowed by right or by use permit per Division 13 Zoning Regulations. Animal services (stray dogs/cats, dangerous animal investigations, licensing) are contracted to Ventura County Animal Services. State law (Cal. Penal Code §597t) requires confined birds to have adequate space, exercise, food, and water.
Operating without a Director's Permit is a zoning violation prosecutable under SBMC Ch. 1.200 administrative citation procedures (typical fines $100 first, $200 second, $500 third within 12 months). Keeping a rooster, exceeding 4 hens, or coop setback violation triggers permit revocation under SBMC Ch. 24.570 and abatement. Slaughter on-site or commercial sale of eggs/birds adds Health & Safety Code violations. Nuisance conditions (odor, noise, rodents) can be cited under SBMC Div. 7 Public Health and Safety as a public nuisance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ventura, CA
Outdoor amplified music in Ventura is governed by the same exterior sound-level standards in SBMC Chapter 10.650 (Noise Control), with additional permit requ...
Ventura, CA
Ventura's exterior decibel limits live in SBMC Chapter 10.650 (Noise Control), structured by designated noise zone (residential / commercial / industrial) wi...
Ventura, CA
Barking-dog complaints in the City of Ventura are NOT handled by City Code Enforcement. Per the City's official Violation Descriptions page, animal-noise com...
Ventura, CA
Construction noise in Ventura is regulated under SBMC Chapter 10.650 (Noise Control) together with the Zoning Code's development standards in Division 24 Par...
Ventura, CA
Ventura restricts on-street parking of oversized vehicles (RVs, motorhomes, boats on trailers) per SBMC Chapter 16.217. Any vehicle longer than 25 ft, wider ...
Ventura, CA
SBMC §24.600.460 (Standard Design Guidelines) directs that fences along street frontages 'should be wrought iron, cast iron, and welded steel ornamental fenc...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle chickens & livestock.
See how Ventura's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.