Livestock is permitted on qualifying parcels in unincorporated Orange County depending on zoning district. Agricultural and equestrian zones allow horses, goats, sheep, and other livestock with minimum lot size requirements. Canyon communities have a strong equestrian tradition.
Unincorporated Orange County allows livestock on properties zoned for agricultural or equestrian use under Title 7 (Zoning) of the Codified Ordinances. The A1 (General Agricultural) zone permits a wide range of livestock. Equestrian-oriented communities in Trabuco Canyon, Silverado Canyon, and parts of Orange Park Acres allow horses and other large animals. Minimum lot sizes apply: typically 20,000 square feet or more for large livestock. Setback requirements from property lines and residences apply to animal enclosures, barns, and corrals. Manure management and fly control are required to prevent nuisance conditions. OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 handles animal welfare complaints. Roosters may be restricted or prohibited even in agricultural zones due to noise. Small livestock (rabbits, pygmy goats) may be permitted on smaller lots depending on zoning. OC Planning at (714) 667-8888 can confirm zoning-specific livestock allowances.
Keeping livestock on non-qualifying parcels is a zoning violation. Nuisance conditions (odor, flies, noise) result in code enforcement action. Animal welfare violations reported to OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848. Zoning violations through Code Enforcement at (714) 667-8843.
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana does not regulate decorative lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round yard decorations on private property. Property maintenance standards in SAMC C...
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana does not specifically regulate residential inflatable holiday displays. There is no size cap, lighting curfew, or fan-noise limit specific to infla...
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential holiday light displays. Display dates, brightness, and decorative content are not regulat...
Santa Ana, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Santa Ana require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits under SAMC Chapter 8 (Building and Construction Standards), wh...
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana does not have a specific ordinance regulating backyard smokers or wood-fired ovens by time of day. Use is governed by the general nuisance provisio...
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) through SAMC Chapter 14 (Fire Prevention) and OCFA (Orange County Fire Authority) under contract. Under CFC...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle livestock.
See how Santa Ana's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.