Chickens & Livestock: Orange vs Santa Ana
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Orange, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Orange and Santa Ana have similar restriction levels.
Orange, CA
Orange County
The City of Orange permits up to five chickens on residential property under OMC Chapter 6.04. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be set back 20 feet from all property lines. On-site slaughtering and commercial egg sales are not allowed.
View full Orange rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Santa Ana allows up to four fowl (hens only, no roosters) per residential property under SAMC Chapter 5 (Animals). Roosters are strictly prohibited on any residential premises. Fowl must be kept at specified distances from neighboring dwellings.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Orange | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Max Chickens | 5 per residential property | - |
| Roosters | Prohibited | Prohibited on residential premises |
| Coop Setback | 20 feet from property lines | - |
| Permit Required | No | - |
| Code Section | OMC Chapter 6.04 | SAMC Chapter 5, §5-6.5 |
| Max Hens Allowed | - | 4 (without special permit) |
| Setback (4 or fewer) | - | 30 ft from neighboring dwelling |
| Setback (over 4) | - | 100 ft from neighboring dwelling |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Orange FAQ
How many chickens can I have in Orange?
Up to five chickens are allowed per residential property under OMC Chapter 6.04. Roosters are not permitted.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Orange?
No permit is required, but coops must be set back at least 20 feet from all property lines and maintained in clean condition.
Santa Ana FAQ
Can I keep chickens in Santa Ana?
Yes. You may keep up to four hens (no roosters) on residential property under SAMC Chapter 5. They must be kept at least 30 feet from neighboring dwellings.
Are roosters allowed in Santa Ana?
No. SAMC Section 5-6.5 prohibits roosters on any premises used for residential purposes within the City of Santa Ana.
Can I keep more than four chickens?
Only with a special permit. Additional fowl must be kept at least 100 feet from any neighboring dwelling.
Compare other topics
See how Orange and Santa Ana compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool