Chickens & Livestock: Brentwood vs Richmond
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Brentwood, CA and Richmond, CA?
Brentwood has fewer restrictions than Richmond.
Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
Backyard chickens are permitted in Brentwood on most residential lots, with limits commonly of 4-6 hens, no roosters, and coop setbacks from neighboring structures. Agricultural-zoned parcels have no hen limit. Under BMC Title 17, coops must be kept sanitary and meet setback requirements from property lines.
View full Brentwood rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Richmond allows up to 6 hens in residential backyards with no roosters permitted. Coops must be set back at least 10 feet from any dwelling on neighboring property and kept clean to prevent odor and rodents. No permit required for basic backyard flocks; larger operations may require zoning review.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brentwood | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Residential limit | ~4-6 hens typical | - |
| Roosters | Prohibited in residential | - |
| Coop setback (structures) | ~15-25 ft | - |
| Coop setback (property line) | ~5-10 ft | - |
| Ag zones | No hen limit, roosters OK | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brentwood FAQ
Can I have a rooster in Brentwood?
Not in residential zones. Roosters are only permitted on parcels zoned A (Agricultural). In residential areas, roosters are considered a noise nuisance under BMC Chapter 9.32 and Title 17.
Do I need a permit for a chicken coop?
A building permit is required for coops over 120 sq ft (standard accessory structure threshold). Smaller coops don't need a building permit but still must meet zoning setback requirements.
Richmond FAQ
Can I keep a rooster if my lot is large?
No. Roosters are prohibited in Richmond residential zones regardless of lot size due to noise.
Can I sell eggs from my backyard hens?
Small-scale incidental sales are generally allowed under the California Cottage Food/Homemade Food Act framework, but commercial sales require zoning review.
Compare other topics
See how Brentwood and Richmond compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool