Chickens & Livestock: Lompoc vs Santa Maria

Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?

Yes, in most residential and rural zones under the County's Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) Chapter 35, but the number of birds, whether roosters are allowed, and the coop setbacks depend on your specific zoning (R-1, RR, MTN, AG-I, AG-II, etc.) and lot size. Coops generally must be set back from neighboring dwellings (often 20-40 feet, set by your zone), kept sanitary, and free of accumulated manure that creates a nuisance under County Code Chapter 7. Roosters are commonly restricted in residential zones because of crowing nuisance. Check your parcel's zone with Planning and Development before building a coop, especially in coastal-zone parcels, which have additional Coastal Land Use Plan considerations.

Can I keep goats, sheep, or a horse on my Santa Barbara County property?

Only on parcels zoned Mountainous (MTN), Rural Residential (RR), Agricultural-I (AG-I), or Agricultural-II (AG-II) - and the allowed number of animals depends on lot size as set in LUDC Chapter 35, Article 35.2 (Zones and Allowable Land Uses). Horses and goats require specific minimum lot sizes and setback for stalls, corrals, and manure-management areas. Swine are more restricted. All livestock must be provided humane shelter, water, and feed under County Code Chapter 7, and manure must be managed to avoid nuisance, odor, and water-quality impacts (the Regional Water Quality Control Board's Conditional Waiver applies to certain agricultural operations). Inside cities (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, etc.), each city's zoning controls and most do not allow large livestock in residential neighborhoods.

Are roosters allowed in residential zones?

Generally no in single-family residential zones in unincorporated Santa Barbara County and in most south-coast cities, because crowing creates a nuisance under County Code Chapter 7. Roosters are typically allowed only on agricultural or rural-residential parcels (AG-I, AG-II, RR, MTN) where neighboring dwellings are far enough away that crowing does not reasonably disturb them. If a rooster is generating complaints, Animal Services will investigate as an animal-noise nuisance, and Planning and Development Code Compliance may issue a zoning citation if roosters are not allowed in your zone. Check your parcel's specific zoning before acquiring a rooster, and consult the LUDC Article 35.2 chart of permitted uses.

Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?

Yes, in most residential and rural zones under the County's Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) Chapter 35, but the number of birds, whether roosters are allowed, and the coop setbacks depend on your specific zoning (R-1, RR, MTN, AG-I, AG-II, etc.) and lot size. Coops generally must be set back from neighboring dwellings (often 20-40 feet, set by your zone), kept sanitary, and free of accumulated manure that creates a nuisance under County Code Chapter 7. Roosters are commonly restricted in residential zones because of crowing nuisance. Check your parcel's zone with Planning and Development before building a coop, especially in coastal-zone parcels, which have additional Coastal Land Use Plan considerations.

Can I keep goats, sheep, or a horse on my Santa Barbara County property?

Only on parcels zoned Mountainous (MTN), Rural Residential (RR), Agricultural-I (AG-I), or Agricultural-II (AG-II) - and the allowed number of animals depends on lot size as set in LUDC Chapter 35, Article 35.2 (Zones and Allowable Land Uses). Horses and goats require specific minimum lot sizes and setback for stalls, corrals, and manure-management areas. Swine are more restricted. All livestock must be provided humane shelter, water, and feed under County Code Chapter 7, and manure must be managed to avoid nuisance, odor, and water-quality impacts (the Regional Water Quality Control Board's Conditional Waiver applies to certain agricultural operations). Inside cities (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, etc.), each city's zoning controls and most do not allow large livestock in residential neighborhoods.

Are roosters allowed in residential zones?

Generally no in single-family residential zones in unincorporated Santa Barbara County and in most south-coast cities, because crowing creates a nuisance under County Code Chapter 7. Roosters are typically allowed only on agricultural or rural-residential parcels (AG-I, AG-II, RR, MTN) where neighboring dwellings are far enough away that crowing does not reasonably disturb them. If a rooster is generating complaints, Animal Services will investigate as an animal-noise nuisance, and Planning and Development Code Compliance may issue a zoning citation if roosters are not allowed in your zone. Check your parcel's specific zoning before acquiring a rooster, and consult the LUDC Article 35.2 chart of permitted uses.