Palm Springs, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Palm Springs is an urban resort city with a largely residential footprint, and PSMC Chapter 10.80 and the zoning code reflect that by prohibiting traditional livestock keeping in nearly all residential zones. Horses may be kept only on parcels within a designated equestrian overlay zone, with minimum lot sizes (often one acre or more), setbacks for stables and corrals (typically 40 feet from any residence or property line), and sanitation and fly-control measures. Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and llamas are not permitted in standard R-1 single-family or any multi-family residential zones. Poultry rules are detailed under the chickens-livestock ordinance, with roosters prohibited citywide. Exotic livestock (alpacas, miniature donkeys, pot-bellied pigs) are also prohibited in residential zones despite being marketed as pets; zoning classifies them as livestock. Adjacent Coachella Valley communities have different rules — Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Mecca, and portions of unincorporated Riverside County allow livestock in large-lot areas — so Palm Springs residents wishing to keep horses or farm animals often must look outside city limits. Agricultural commercial operations (date palm groves, nurseries) are separate and permitted in agricultural zones. Violations trigger Code Enforcement action, with warnings, compliance timelines, and fines. Riverside County Animal Services handles animal-welfare aspects. Keeping a pet pig in a Palm Springs backyard, though increasingly popular nationwide, is not allowed. Always verify zoning at the Planning counter before acquiring any livestock or farm animal.