Chickens & Livestock: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Redwood City has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City bans roosters (Section 6.08.080) and all pigs, hogs, and swine (Section 6.08.040) anywhere in the city. Chickens and other fowl are not prohibited outright but may not run at large or enter neighboring property, and horses require an annual permit with half-acre minimum lot size.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Unincorporated San Mateo County allows backyard chickens and ducks on residential parcels of at least 2,500 square feet. Up to 6 birds are allowed on lots of 2,500 to 7,499 square feet and up to 10 on lots of 7,500 square feet or more. Roosters are prohibited, and birds must be kept in a rear-yard coop.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited citywide (Sec. 6.08.080) | Prohibited |
| Pigs, hogs, swine | Prohibited citywide (Sec. 6.08.040) | - |
| Hens and other fowl | Allowed but may not run at large or enter other property | - |
| Baby chick sales | Banned as pets or novelties; food-raising dealers excepted | - |
| Horses | Annual permit; 1/2-acre minimum for 2 horses | - |
| Minimum lot size | - | 2,500 sq ft (residentially zoned) |
| Up to 6 birds | - | Lots 2,500 to 7,499 sq ft |
| Up to 10 birds | - | Lots 7,500 sq ft or larger |
| Coop limits | - | Max 100 sq ft and 6 ft tall, in the rear yard |
| Administered by | - | County Planning and Building Department |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Daly City?
Hens are not banned by Daly City's Municipal Code, but roosters are prohibited citywide under Section 6.08.080, and Section 6.08.020(G) requires that chickens and other fowl be kept from running at large or entering any other person's property.
Can I keep a goat or pig in Daly City?
Pigs, hogs, and swine are flatly prohibited under Section 6.08.040. Goats are not expressly banned by Title 6, but animals at large are prohibited and nuisance rules under Sections 6.08.050-6.08.060 apply; horses are the only large livestock with a dedicated permit pathway.
What does it take to keep a horse in Daly City?
Section 6.12.020 requires a revocable annual horsekeeping permit for any horse kept more than 30 days a year. Section 6.12.120 requires at least a half-acre parcel for up to two horses, at least 200 square feet of corral and stall area per horse, and setbacks including 100 feet from a neighboring house.
Redwood City FAQ
How many chickens can I keep in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Up to 6 chickens or ducks on residentially zoned lots of 2,500 to 7,499 square feet, and up to 10 on lots of 7,500 square feet or larger, under the County Poultry Ordinance. The parcel must be at least 2,500 square feet to keep any poultry.
Are roosters allowed?
No. The County Poultry Ordinance prohibits roosters because of the noise they create. Only hens (chickens) and ducks are permitted under the residential poultry rules, kept in a rear-yard coop no larger than 100 square feet and no taller than 6 feet.
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