Yolo County allows chickens and other small livestock on residential parcels subject to lot-size and setback rules in Zoning Code Article 8-2.3 (Tables of Agricultural Permit Requirements) and Article 8-2.5 (Table of Residential Development Requirements). On lots smaller than 10,000 sq ft in R-L and R-M, up to 4 hens may be kept and must be at least 25 ft from any residence. RR-2 and RR-5 parcels over 10,000 sq ft can keep up to 7 chickens. Agricultural zones (A-1, A-N) allow farm animals by right.
Yolo County draws a clear line between residential and agricultural zones for animal-keeping purposes. Section 8-2.304 (Tables of Agricultural Permit Requirements) and Section 8-2.505 (Table of Residential Development Requirements) together specify which zones allow which animals and under what conditions. Chickens are permitted in the R-L (low-density residential) and R-M (medium-density residential) zones on parcels of less than 10,000 sq ft with the following restrictions: no more than 4 hens, no roosters, and the coop and run must be located at least 25 feet from any residence. On larger residential parcels - RR-2 (rural-residential 2-acre minimum) and RR-5 (rural-residential 5-acre minimum) - up to 7 chickens may be kept and the 10,000-sq-ft threshold is treated as a benchmark for additional flexibility. Large domestic animals (horses, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas) are allowed in RR-5, RR-2, and R-L on parcels of one-half acre or more. In the A-1 (general agriculture) and A-N (agriculture-natural) zones, keeping farm animals for pasturing, grazing, or breeding is an allowed use by right and is not subject to the residential restrictions. All animal-keeping is also subject to the county's general nuisance, noise, and odor rules.
Exceeding the allowed flock size, keeping roosters in restricted zones, or placing a coop within the 25-foot residence setback is a zoning violation enforced by Yolo County Code Enforcement. Repeat violations or operations creating a nuisance can trigger administrative citations, removal orders, and impoundment by Animal Services. Commercial-scale operations in residential zones require a Conditional Use Permit.
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