Vacaville, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Solano County Code Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl) addresses larger animals directly. Section 4-12 provides that no person owning or controlling any ox, steer, bull, cow, horse, colt, jack, mule, calf, sheep, goat, hog, or any animal commonly referred to as a 'wild species' shall permit it to run at large; cause it to be pastured, staked, or tied in any street, road, lane, alley, park, or other public place; or tie, stake, or pasture it on private property without the consent of the owner or occupant, or in a way that lets it trespass onto a street, public place, or other private property. Section 4-12(d) also requires owners to provide necessary food, water, shelter, and protection from the weather, and section 4-17 requires barns, stalls, and pens to be kept clean and sanitary. The general care duty in section 4-18 requires proper food, water, shelter, and qualified medical care for any animal. Where livestock may be kept, and in what numbers, is governed by the County zoning ordinance (Chapter 28). For a 'pastured livestock' operation, the zoning standards (section 28.71) require a 200-foot setback from any parcel in an (R) residential district and a manure/nuisance management plan filed annually with the Agricultural Commissioner; a minor use permit is required where the parcel is within 1,320 feet of an (R)-district lot or where standards cannot be met. Owners should confirm allowed animals and densities for their zoning district with Solano County Planning Services.