California Backyard Chicken and Pet Ordinances (2026)

Backyard chicken keeping has grown in popularity across California, and most cities allow it with some restrictions. Pet ordinances in general cover everything from the number of animals you can keep to noise, odor, and enclosure requirements. Whether you want chickens, bees, or just need to understand the rules for your dogs and cats, local ordinances are the place to start.

Backyard Chickens: The Basics

Most California cities allow residents to keep hens in residential zones, but roosters are almost universally prohibited due to noise concerns. The number of hens allowed varies by city and often depends on lot size. Los Angeles allows one hen per 500 square feet of lot area, with no cap beyond what the lot size supports. San Diego permits up to 25 chickens on lots of 10,000 square feet or more but limits smaller lots to fewer birds. Sacramento allows up to six hens on residential properties. San Jose permits up to six hens with no roosters. In many cities, a small permit or registration is required.

Enclosure and Setback Requirements

Chicken coops must meet setback requirements in nearly every California city. The typical requirement is that coops be placed at least 20 feet from any neighboring dwelling and at least 5 feet from property lines. Los Angeles requires coops to be in the rear yard only. San Francisco allows chickens but requires that coops be at least 20 feet from any window of a neighboring residence. Coops must be kept clean and in good repair to avoid nuisance complaints. Cities can issue citations for coops that create odor or attract rodents.

Dog and Cat Limits

Most California cities limit the number of dogs and cats a household can keep without a kennel license. The typical limit is three to four dogs and three to four cats. Oakland and Fresno both cap dogs at three per household. Santa Ana limits dogs and cats to a combined total of four. If you need to keep more animals, many cities offer a hobby breeder or fancier permit for an additional fee, subject to inspection.

Beekeeping Rules

Beekeeping is increasingly allowed in California cities. Los Angeles legalized residential beekeeping in 2015, and San Francisco and Sacramento both allow it with registration. Most cities require hives to be placed in rear yards with flight paths directed away from neighboring properties. A water source must be provided near the hives to prevent bees from visiting neighbors' pools and water features. San Diego allows beekeeping on lots of 2,500 square feet or more with specific setback requirements.

Noise and Nuisance Standards

Animal noise falls under both animal control ordinances and general noise ordinances. Persistent barking is one of the most common code enforcement complaints in California. Most cities define excessive barking as continuous barking for 10 to 20 minutes or intermittent barking over a 30-minute period. Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose all have specific anti-barking provisions. Enforcement typically begins with a warning and escalates to fines with repeated violations.