Bishop, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Livestock keeping is governed by the zoning code, principally Inyo County Code section 18.78.310 (Maintenance of Animals) plus the individual zone chapters. In the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones, large livestock and large farm animals such as horses, mules, donkeys and cattle may not be bred, raised, maintained or slaughtered for any purpose on lots of less than one-half acre, where only small livestock (poultry, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, pigeons) are allowed and only for non-commercial domestic, educational or youth-agriculture use. On residential lots of one-half acre or more, and in all other zones regardless of lot size, animal maintenance including larger livestock is permitted as an accessory use so long as it complies with all other state and county requirements. The Open Space (OS) zone allows livestock ranches for raising, grazing, breeding and boarding of small animals as a principal permitted use, with a 40-acre minimum parcel and 50-foot yard setbacks; commercial feed lots, dairies and ranches raising poultry, pigs, goats or rabbits adjacent to residentially zoned property require a conditional use permit. Across zones, animal shelters, cages, pens and corrals may not exceed 15 feet in height and must be at least five feet from any property line, 10 feet from a vegetated stream, and 30 feet from a non-vegetated stream. Animals may not be kept in unsanitary or nuisance conditions.