Los Angeles County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum setback from residence/dwelling
- 35 feet
- Minimum setback from schools/hospitals
- 100 feet
- Exempted animals
- Cats, dogs, canaries, psittacine (parrot-family) birds
- Exempted locations
- Accredited labs (CA DHS regulated); ADUs/JADUs under zoning code
- Sanitation requirement
- Coops, yards, and buildings must not be maintained in foul or insanitary condition
Summary
Chickens, fowl, and other non-household animals must be kept at least 35 feet from any residence in unincorporated Los Angeles County and at least 100 feet from schools and hospitals, and must be maintained in sanitary conditions.
A person shall not keep any animal, fowl or bird, wild or domestic, other than cats, dogs, canaries or birds of the psittacine family, within 35 feet of any restaurant, food establishment, residence, or dwelling, or other building used for the habitation of human beings, or within 100 feet of any school building, hospital building or similar institution building. It is unlawful to keep or maintain a premises, yard, coop or building in which fowl or animals are maintained in a foul or insanitary condition. The provisions of this Section regarding distances shall not apply to accredited laboratories regulated by the California Department of Health Services or accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units regulated by Section 22.140.640 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Dwelling Units).
Full Breakdown
The setback rule applies to all animals and birds other than cats, dogs, canaries, and psittacine (parrot-family) birds. Premises, yards, coops, and buildings where fowl or animals are kept must not be maintained in a foul or insanitary condition: this is separately unlawful. The 35-foot and 100-foot distance requirements do not apply to accredited laboratories regulated by the California Department of Health Services or to accessory dwelling units governed by the ADU code.
Violations & Fines
Violating the distance or sanitation requirements is a public health violation. The director of public health may order abatement and charge costs to the owner. General violations of Division 1 of Title 11 carry penalties of up to $500 fine or 6 months county jail per day of continuing violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens if my neighbor's house is 30 feet away?
Does the 35-foot rule apply to pet rabbits or guinea pigs?
Can I keep chickens next to my own house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
How Los Angeles County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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