Chickens & Livestock: Monterey vs Salinas
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Monterey, CA and Salinas, CA?
Salinas has fewer restrictions than Monterey.
Monterey, CA
Monterey County
Under MCC Chapter 8.50 (added by Ordinance No. 5249, effective July 14, 2015), keeping 5 or more roosters on a single property in unincorporated Monterey County requires a Rooster Keeping Operation permit from Animal Control. Exemptions exist for poultry operations (200+ adult female birds for commercial egg/meat), poultry hobbyists in recognized breeding clubs, and FFA / 4-H / school educational projects.
View full Monterey rules →Salinas, CA
Monterey County
Salinas allows hens in residential areas with permit and coop setback requirements. No roosters in residential zones. The city's agricultural heritage makes backyard farming culturally common. Coop must be maintained in sanitary condition.
View full Salinas rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Monterey | Salinas |
|---|---|---|
| Code Chapter | MCC Title 8, Chapter 8.50 (Ord. 5249, eff. July 14, 2015) | - |
| Permit Trigger | 5 or more roosters on a single parcel | - |
| Poultry Operation Threshold | More than 200 adult female fowl for sale (exemption) | - |
| Permit Disqualifier | Cockfighting or animal cruelty conviction (§ 8.50.060(F)(1)) | - |
| Hens | - | Allowed with permit |
| Roosters | - | Prohibited residential |
| Coop Setback | - | 20 ft from neighbors |
| Limit | - | Varies by lot size |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Monterey FAQ
How many hens can I keep in unincorporated Monterey County?
Chapter 8.50 only regulates roosters. Hens are governed by the county zoning code (Title 21) and the specific zoning district / area plan applicable to your parcel. Commercial 'poultry operations' over 200 adult female birds are defined in MCC § 8.04.010 and trigger separate regulation.
Do I need a permit for 4 roosters?
No. The permit threshold under MCC Chapter 8.50 is 5 or more roosters on a single property. Keeping 4 or fewer roosters is not regulated by Chapter 8.50, though nuisance standards in MCC Ch. 8.36 (noise/odor) still apply.
Are FFA / 4-H rooster projects exempt?
Yes. Under MCC §§ 8.04.010 and 8.50.110, rooster-keeping by minors as part of FFA, 4-H, or other CA Department of Education-registered school programs is exempted from the permit requirement.
Salinas FAQ
Can I keep chickens?
Many cities allow 4 to 6 hens with proper coop setbacks. Roosters are typically prohibited. Check Salinas municipal code.
What about goats?
Usually restricted to agricultural or rural residential zones with minimum lot sizes.
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