Imperial County, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Livestock in unincorporated Imperial County is regulated through the Land Use Code (Title 9, Division 5), which assigns animal-keeping limits by zone. In residential zones the limits are modest: under Section 90502.13, R-1 lots over one-half acre may keep medium animals (goats, hogs, sheep) at two per acre, and lots over three-quarter acre may keep large animals (horses, cattle, mules) at one per three-quarter acre up to five acres, with breeding or keeping otherwise strictly prohibited. The Open Space/Preservation (S-2) zone, under Section 90519.01, permits pasturing and grazing not exceeding one large animal (horse, mule, cow, etc.) or five medium-sized animals (hogs, goat, sheep) for each acre of the parcel, with an exception for temporary pasturing of livestock feeding on vegetable matter grown on the premises. The agricultural zones carry the county's commercial livestock industry: the A-3 (Heavy Agriculture) zone is where intensive operations such as cattle feedlots and dairies are sited - for example, county records describe feedlot expansions of many thousands of head of cattle on A-3 land. Animal-keeping structures in residential zones must observe setbacks (for R-1, at least 100 feet from any school, public park or water well). Because cattle is the county's leading commodity, agricultural operations are central to local land use. Confirm your parcel's zone and the applicable standards with Imperial County Planning & Development Services.