Woodland, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- No-permit limit
- 6 hens, pigeons, or rabbits combined
- Setback
- 40 feet from neighboring residence
- Above limit
- Zoning Administrator permit required
- Roosters/livestock
- Banned unless permitted under § 6.08.040
- Commercial setback
- 75 feet from neighboring dwelling
- Enforcement
- Zoning Administrator / animal control officer
Summary
Woodland lets residents keep up to six chicken hens, six pigeons, or six rabbits (or a mix of hens and pigeons totaling six) without any permit, under Municipal Code Section 6.08.030. The pen or structure must sit at least 40 feet from any neighboring residence and stay clean and sanitary; keeping more requires a Zoning Administrator permit under Section 6.08.040.
§ 6.08.030. Keeping of chickens, pigeons or rabbits. A. It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the City, or permit to be kept or maintained upon land belonging to such person, any chickens, pigeons or rabbits except as follows: B. A total of not more than six chicken hens or six pigeons or a combination of chicken hens and pigeons not to exceed the number of six, or a total of not more than six rabbits may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary pen or structure, no part of which shall be located less than 40 feet from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such animals; and, provided further, that the keeping of such animal shall not create a health or nuisance problem.
Full Breakdown
Woodland Municipal Code Chapter 6.08, Domestic Animal Keeping, starts from a general ban: Section 6.08.010 makes it unlawful to keep cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, geese, ducks, turkeys, roosters, and other poultry or game birds within the City except as this chapter specifically permits. Section 6.08.030 then carves out an unpermitted allowance of up to six chicken hens, six pigeons, or six rabbits, or a combination of hens and pigeons totaling six, kept in a clean, sanitary pen at least 40 feet from any neighboring residence other than the keeper's own home.
Keeping more than six hens, pigeons, or rabbits, or keeping pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats, miniature horses, ponies, or donkeys (capped at three), or keeping animals for commercial, industrial, or scientific purposes, all require a Zoning Administrator permit under Section 6.08.040, following an investigation, public hearing, and a $50.00 fee for the commercial category only. Permitted enclosures for commercial or industrial animal-keeping must sit in a fenced rear yard at least 75 feet from any neighboring dwelling, school, church, or health care facility, with shelters kept out of front-yard and 20-foot rear or side setbacks, and owners must manage manure, wastewater, and odor to avoid a nuisance finding. A Zoning Administrator or animal control officer can order any animal examined by a veterinarian.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than six chicken hens, pigeons, or rabbits, or any cattle, horse, swine, sheep, goat, goose, duck, turkey, or rooster without the required Zoning Administrator permit, violates Chapter 6.08. The Zoning Administrator gives written notice of any deficiency and 14 to 30 days to correct it (or as little as one day for a health or public-safety threat); failing to fix it is cause for permit revocation, nuisance abatement, and forced removal or disposal of the animals within 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many backyard chickens can I keep in Woodland without a permit?
Can I keep a rooster in Woodland?
Can I keep more than six chickens if I get a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Woodland
How Woodland compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Woodland to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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