Livestock: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do livestock rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Castro Valley has fewer restrictions than San Leandro.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and swine are permitted on Alameda County Agricultural (A) and Rural Agricultural (RA) zoned parcels with minimum acreage requirements. Livestock are generally prohibited on R-1 lots.
View full Castro Valley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro's Zoning Code (SLMC Article 4) prohibits livestock in all residential zones (RS, RM) including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Backyard chickens and bees are allowed with limits — see the dedicated 'chickens-livestock' and 'beekeeping' subcategories. Swine are prohibited city-wide.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Required zoning | A, AR, or RA | - |
| Horse minimum | 20,000 sf + 10,000 | - |
| Swine setback | 100 ft from dwelling | - |
| Right to Farm | Civil Code 3482.5 | - |
| Feedlot | Extra permits | - |
| Code Section | - | SLMC Title 1 Article 4 (Residential Zones) |
| Horses/Cattle/Sheep/Goats | - | Prohibited in all R zones |
| Swine | - | Prohibited city-wide |
| Chickens | - | See chickens-livestock subcategory |
| Agricultural Zone | - | None in city |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
Can I keep a single pet goat in my R-1 backyard?
Generally no. Goats require agricultural zoning. Some miniature goat exceptions exist under conditional use permits with neighbor consent.
Does Right to Farm block all complaints?
No. It protects compliant farms that existed before the complainant moved in. Violations of law or new operations are not protected.
San Leandro FAQ
Can I keep a goat in my San Leandro backyard?
No. San Leandro has no agricultural zone; goats, sheep, horses, and other large livestock are prohibited in all residential zones under SLMC Article 4, even as pets. Backyard chickens and bees are allowed under separate sections.
Are pot-bellied pigs allowed in San Leandro?
No. SLMC Title 4 prohibits swine of any size or breed city-wide as a public-health nuisance, including miniature and pot-bellied pigs kept as pets.
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