Animal Ordinances in Santa Rosa, CA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Santa Rosa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-42.040 allows hens (no roosters) on any residential lot, with a sliding-scale limit of 3 to 30 hens depending on lot size, plus rear-yard coop setbacks of 5 to 20 feet. Larger livestock - horses, cows, hogs, goats, sheep - are permitted only in Rural Residential zones on parcels of at least 20,000 square feet.
Up to 30 hens allowed by lot size; no roosters; livestock only in RR zones
Some RestrictionsCity of Santa Rosa, Hen Keeping page and Farm Animals FAQ (summarizing City Code Section 20-42.040)
Hen keeping (female chickens) is allowed in Santa Rosa, subject to specific standards to ensure compatibility with residential neighborhoods. Roosters are not allowed. Number of Hens Allowed: The number of hens allowed per lot depends on the size of your lot: lots 5,000 square feet or less allow 3 hens; lots 5,001-10,000 sq. ft. allow 6 hens; lots 10,001-43,560 sq. ft. allow 6 hens per 10,000 s...
Dog Leash Laws
Santa Rosa requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in public places. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks.
Santa Rosa Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
California Health & Safety Code Section 122331 preempts breed-specific dangerous-dog declarations and bans, but expressly allows local mandatory spay/neuter rules. Santa Rosa City Code requires that all pit bulls over four months old kept in the City be spayed or neutered, and all dogs running at large be sterilized after citation.
No breed ban; pit bulls must be spayed or neutered
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 122331
(a) No program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, and pursuant to Sections 31683 of the Food and Agricultural Code and 122331 of the Health and Safety Code, a city or county may enact dog control ordinances that are more restrictive than current state law. These local ordinances may include, but are not limited to, mandatory spay or neuter progr...
Beekeeping
Santa Rosa allows beekeeping in residential areas under Zoning Code Section 20-42.040. Hives must be set back from property lines and maintained to prevent nuisance conditions.
Santa Rosa Beekeeping Rules
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Santa Rosa follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for exotic animals. Many exotic species require state permits, and some are completely prohibited. Local zoning may further restrict animal keeping.
Santa Rosa Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Some RestrictionsCCR Title 14, Section 671(c) — CDFW Restricted Species Permits
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Entitlements / Fee / Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment — New: $155.53; Renewal and Amendment: $80.60. Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment o...
Pet Limits
Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-42.040 limits any residential lot to a total of five animals (domestic or exotic), of which no more than three may be dogs and no more than one may be a pot-bellied pig. Hens (no roosters) are allowed in addition to the five-animal limit, subject to a lot-size sliding scale.
Five animals total per lot, max three dogs; hens extra
Some RestrictionsSanta Rosa City Code Section 20-42.040 (Animal Keeping)
On any lot in a residential zoning district, or in conjunction with any residential use in any other district, a total of five animals (domestic or exotic) may be kept on one lot, of which not more than three may be dogs, and not more than one may be a pot-bellied pig. In addition to the five animal total, hens may be kept in accordance with the limitations of Table 4-1 and the development stan...
Looking for Sonoma County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Rosa city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Sonoma County →