Madera County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max density
- 24 birds/small animals per acre
- Minimum lot size
- 1 acre
- Commercial threshold
- >12 chickens = small livestock farming
- Coop setback
- 50 ft from dwellings
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County residential zones allow noncommercial poultry and rabbits on lots of one acre or more, capping the total at twenty-four birds or small animals per acre.
The noncommercial raising of poultry, rabbits and other similar small animals where the lot area is one acre or more provided that the number per acre, or combination thereof, shall not exceed twenty-four.3.All pens, coops, stables or barns for the keeping of the above indicated animals must comply with the structure setback requirements for this district and shall not be constructed within fifty feet of any structure designed for human habitation. ** This zone district would only be allowed to be used in conjunction with the village core overlay district. (Ord. No. 525VV, § 3 (Exh. C), 7-18-17).
(Ord. No. 525ZZ, § 2, 10-14-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Under Madera County Code § 18.11.100, noncommercial raising of poultry, rabbits and similar small animals is a permitted accessory use in the county's residential zones, but only on lots of one acre or larger, and it caps the number at twenty-four per acre in any combination. The code separately defines 'small livestock farming' at § 18.04.490 as keeping more than twelve chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese or similar fowl; crossing that threshold, or raising any fowl for commercial purposes, moves the use into a different, more regulated category. Coops and pens must still meet structure setback rules and stay fifty feet from any dwelling. This applies only in the unincorporated county, not inside Madera or Chowchilla.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than twenty-four poultry or small animals per acre, or exceeding twelve chickens without qualifying as small livestock farming, exceeds § 18.11.100's residential-zone limits and risks a code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in unincorporated Madera County?
Do I need a permit for a small backyard flock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
How Madera County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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