Yuba City, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Small animals allowed (<=0.5 acre)
- up to 12, no permit
- Pet exception
- 2 potbellied pigs
- Larger lots/more animals
- Use Permit required
- Setback for penned animals
- 35 ft. from lot line
- Kennels in residential districts
- prohibited
- Article 35 overlay livestock cap
- 1 per 0.5 acre
Summary
On lots of a half-acre or less, Yuba City allows up to 12 chicken hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs or similar small animals without a permit, plus two pet potbellied pigs, under Sec. 8-5.5001(a)(1). Larger numbers or other livestock on bigger lots need a Use Permit, and kennels are barred outright in residential districts.
On lots of one-half acre or less, the keeping of chicken hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs, or similar small animals, not exceeding a combined total of 12 in number (excluding the offspring thereof, up to the age of six months, may be kept for home enjoyment or consumption, subject to the provisions of other applicable laws. No hoofed animals are permitted, except two potbellied pigs are allowed as pets. ... On lots exceeding one-half acre, the keeping of animals listed above in numbers exceeding those listed or keeping of other types of livestock shall be permitted with an approved use permit. Such animals housed in pens or buildings shall not be nearer than 35 ft. to any lot line and not nearer than 40 ft. from a residence. ... Kennels are not permitted in residential districts.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 8-5.5001(a) sets the citywide baseline for keeping animals wherever a residence is a permitted use. Subsection (1) allows, without any permit, up to a combined total of 12 chicken hens, rabbits, guinea pigs or similar small animals (not counting offspring under six months) on lots of one-half acre or less, "for home enjoyment or consumption." Roosters are excluded, and no hoofed animals are permitted except that two potbellied pigs may be kept as pets.
Larger lots get more room but not an automatic right: subsection (2) requires an approved Use Permit for keeping the same animals in numbers exceeding those limits, or for keeping other types of livestock, on lots over one-half acre. Any such animals housed in pens or buildings must sit at least 35 feet from any lot line and 40 feet from a residence. Subsection (3) prohibits kennels in residential districts outright, with no use-permit path.
Outside the base residential standard, a resident whose property carries the Agricultural Combining District (Article 35) overlay gets a separate, more generous livestock allowance: Sec. 8-5.3502 permits crop and tree farming and livestock farming by right, capped at one horse, mule, cow, steer, or two sheep or goats per half-acre of lot area, with dairy operations and kennels requiring a Use Permit there instead. The two frameworks are not interchangeable; which one governs a given parcel depends on whether the Agricultural Combining District has been applied to it.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than 12 qualifying small animals on a half-acre lot, adding hoofed livestock beyond the two permitted potbellied pigs, or operating a kennel in a residential district without the Article 35 overlay violates Sec. 8-5.5001(a) and is enforced by the Development Services Department as a zoning violation, with the animals subject to removal until the property either reduces the count or secures the required Use Permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Yuba City?
Can I keep a horse or cow in Yuba City?
Are backyard kennels legal in Yuba City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuba City
How Yuba City compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Yuba City to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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