Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and swine are permitted on Alameda County Agricultural (A) and Rural Agricultural (RA) zoned parcels with minimum acreage requirements. Livestock are generally prohibited on R-1 lots.
Alameda County zoning restricts commercial or hobby livestock to A, AR, and RA districts with minimum parcel sizes. Horses typically require 20,000 square feet for the first animal and 10,000 additional per extra animal. Cattle, sheep, and goats have similar stocking densities. Swine require a minimum of one acre and must be set back at least 100 feet from any dwelling not owned by the keeper. Fencing, manure management, and water quality protections apply under county and Regional Water Quality Control Board rules. California Civil Code 3482.5 (Right to Farm) protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits brought by subsequent neighbors, provided operations comply with applicable laws. Feedlots and dairies require additional permits including BAAQMD air quality authorizations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Alameda County's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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