Plumas County, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Livestock keeping in unincorporated Plumas County is governed by the zoning ordinance in Title 9 (Planning and Zoning), Chapter 2. Where a zoning district allows large-animal husbandry — defined as the care and raising of horses, cows, and pigs — the county uses a parcel-size stocking ratio: two animals together with their young (one year old or less) are allowed for the first acre of property, plus one additional animal for each additional one-half (1/2) acre. Critically, horses, cows, or pigs may not be kept on parcels smaller than one acre. Hoofed livestock such as sheep and goats are handled under small-animal husbandry, defined as the care and raising of livestock for the personal use of residents and 4-H market and breeding projects. Suburban and rural zones (for example S-1, S-3, R-10, R-20) and any zone combined with the Farm Animal (F) combining zone are the typical places these uses are permitted. Plumas County is a rural mountain ranching county, with cattle and horse operations in Sierra Valley and Genesee, and California open-range and estray law applies on top of the zoning ratios. Property owners should confirm their parcel's specific zoning designation with the Plumas County Planning Department.