Chickens & Livestock: Fairfield vs Vacaville
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Fairfield, CA and Vacaville, CA?
Fairfield and Vacaville have similar restriction levels.
Fairfield, CA
Solano County
Fairfield allows up to three chickens, geese, ducks, or turkeys on residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet. Roosters are prohibited, and fowl must be confined to the owner's property at all times.
View full Fairfield rules →Vacaville, CA
Solano County
Vacaville allows home chicken keeping as a non-commercial accessory use to single-family residences in agricultural and lower-density residential zones with a 6,000 sq ft minimum lot size. The cap is one adult hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, up to nine hens total. Roosters are prohibited citywide. Other livestock require an agricultural or rural-zoned parcel under Title 14 (Land Use & Development Code).
View full Vacaville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fairfield | Vacaville |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum fowl | 3 total (chickens, ducks, geese, or turkeys) | - |
| Minimum lot size for chickens | 5,000 square feet | - |
| Roosters | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Confinement | Must remain on owner's property | - |
| Governing code | FMC Chapter 3 and Section 25.22.4.2 | - |
| Hen Density | - | 1 hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot |
| Maximum Hens | - | 9 per parcel |
| Minimum Lot | - | 6,000 sq ft (AG, AH, RR, RE, RL zones) |
| Nuisance Code | - | VMC Ch. 6.20 |
| Contact | - | Community Development 707-449-5140 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fairfield FAQ
Can I keep chickens if my lot is smaller than 5,000 square feet?
No. Fairfield's zoning code requires a minimum 5,000-square-foot residential lot to keep chickens. Smaller lots are not eligible regardless of how few birds you intend to keep.
Are roosters ever allowed in Fairfield?
Roosters are not permitted in residential zones because of their crowing, which would constitute a public nuisance. Hens up to the three-bird limit are permitted.
Vacaville FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Vacaville?
Yes, on a single-family lot of at least 6,000 sq ft in AG, AH, RR, RE, or RL-10/8/6 zones. The cap is one adult hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, with a maximum of nine hens total.
Are roosters allowed in Vacaville?
No. Roosters are prohibited under Vacaville's chicken-keeping rules. Only hens may be kept, and only as a non-commercial accessory use to a single-family residence.
Can I keep goats, pigs, or a horse?
Only if your parcel is in a zone that allows large livestock (typically AG, AH, RR, or RE under Title 14). Standard suburban residential zones (RL-5, RM, RH) do not allow livestock beyond chickens.
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