Modesto, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Larger livestock keeping in unincorporated Stanislaus County is governed by the Zoning Ordinance (Title 21). In the R-A Rural Residential district, Section 21.24.020 permits small livestock farming on parcels of one acre or more, excluding hogs and turkeys. On parcels of one acre or more, the same section allows two horses or two cows (termed 'large animals'), or four sheep or four goats (termed 'small animals'), or a combination of one large animal and two small animals. Density is capped: no more than two large animals per acre, or four small animals per acre; where large and small animals are combined, the total may not exceed three animals per acre. Buildings used to keep livestock or poultry must be set back at least fifty feet from any public street and at least forty feet from any window or door of a building used for human occupancy or any adjacent property (Section 21.24.080). Agricultural (A-2) zones allow broader farming uses, but within areas designated 'urban transition' on the general plan, animal-keeping in A-2 is limited to the R-A standards unless the planning director approves additional animals (Section 21.20.020). Commercial operations such as dairies, cattle feedlots, and poultry operations are confined-animal facilities subject to additional standards. Verify your parcel's zoning before adding livestock.