Large livestock in unincorporated San Bernardino County is governed by Development Code Chapter 84.04. As an accessory use (Table 84-5), horses and cattle need a 20,000 sq ft parcel (60-ft frontage) at one per 10,000 sq ft, capped at 9 per parcel. Larger herds, dairies, or hog ranches need a Conditional Use Permit.
Livestock keeping in unincorporated San Bernardino County is regulated by the Development Code Chapter 84.04, split between accessory use (Table 84-5) and primary use (Table 84-3). As an accessory use to a single-family dwelling, cattle, buffalo, or similar large animals and horses each require a minimum 20,000 sq ft parcel with at least 60 feet of frontage, are allowed at one animal per 10,000 sq ft, and share a cumulative cap of 9 large domesticated animals per parcel. Sheep and female goats are allowed at 1 per 5,000 sq ft on parcels of at least 7,200 sq ft, with a combined sheep-and-goat cap of 9; a male adult goat requires 20,000 sq ft. Alpacas and llamas follow the same 1-per-5,000 sq ft pattern with a combined cap of 9. Hogs are 'Not allowed' as an accessory use. As a primary use (Table 84-3), in AG/RC/RL/SD zones the minimum parcel is generally 2 acres, with densities such as cattle or horses at 1 per 10,000 sq ft (1 per 6,000 in AG), sheep/female goats at 1 per 4,000 (1 per 3,000 in AG), and hogs at 1 per 20,000 (1 per 12,000 in AG), to a 9-hog maximum. Setbacks under 84.04.090(b) require large animals to be kept 70 feet from adjoining dwellings, 5 feet from side/rear lines, and 100 feet from any domestic water well. Densities or animal types beyond the tables, and operations like dairies (10-acre minimum) or hog ranches (5-acre minimum, Table 84-4), require a Conditional Use Permit. Manure management must comply with County Code Title 3.
Keeping more livestock than the applicable table allows, keeping prohibited species (e.g. hogs as an accessory use), or violating setback and manure rules is a Development Code violation enforced by Code Enforcement through abatement and fines. Commercial-scale operations without the required CUP are separately actionable.
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