Clovis restricts livestock to agricultural zones under CMC Title 9. Standard residential zones prohibit horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry. The CA Right to Farm Act protects existing ag operations.
CMC Title 9 (Development Code) establishes zoning districts that determine where livestock may be kept. Standard residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) generally prohibit livestock. Agricultural zones and certain rural residential areas with larger lot sizes may allow horses, cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and other farm animals subject to setback, shelter, and waste management requirements. CMC Chapter 6.1 (Animal Regulations) provides additional animal-keeping standards including sanitation requirements and restrictions on numbers of animals. Chickens and other poultry may be regulated as to quantity and prohibited from standard residential lots depending on the zoning district. Roosters are commonly restricted due to noise concerns. The California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code 3482.5) protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits, which may be relevant for properties near the Clovis urban-agricultural boundary. Properties in the Clovis sphere of influence transitioning from agricultural to residential use may have existing livestock rights that phase out upon annexation and rezoning.
Keeping livestock in a prohibited zone is a zoning violation enforceable by Clovis Code Enforcement. Violations may result in notices to comply, administrative citations, and fines. Failure to remove livestock from a non-conforming zone may lead to daily penalties and nuisance abatement proceedings.
See how other cities in Fresno County handle livestock.
See how Clovis's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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