Chickens & Livestock: Pasadena vs South Gate
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Pasadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
Pasadena has fewer restrictions than South Gate.
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena allows backyard chickens in residential zones with restrictions. Roosters are generally prohibited. Livestock regulations vary by zone under Title 17. The Pasadena Humane Society handles animal control enforcement.
View full Pasadena rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate is a dense urban Los Angeles County city built on R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zoning. Title 4 (Animals) and Chapter 7.22 (Animal Control) of the South Gate Municipal Code govern animal keeping, and zoning Chapter 11.25 (Residential Neighborhood Zones) excludes commercial livestock and poultry operations from residential lots. Field enforcement is contracted to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), which serves South Gate alongside 13 neighboring southeast LA County cities. Roosters, goats, pigs and cattle are not a permitted residential use in South Gate's R-zones, and back-yard hens are tightly constrained by setback and nuisance rules.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pasadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Hens | Allowed in residential zones | - |
| Roosters | Generally prohibited | Treated as a nuisance under Ch. 7.22; not allowed in residential zones |
| Livestock | Zone-dependent | - |
| Enforcement | Pasadena Humane Society | SEAACA (Southeast Area Animal Control Authority), Downey CA — 562-803-3301 |
| Primary code | - | South Gate MC Title 4 ANIMALS & Ch. 7.22 ANIMAL CONTROL (eCode360 SO4650) |
| Zoning | - | Ch. 11.25 Residential Neighborhood Zones — livestock not a permitted use |
| State cruelty law | - | Cal. Penal Code §597, §597.1 (neglect / inadequate shelter) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pasadena FAQ
How many chickens can I keep in Pasadena?
Up to 10 chickens are allowed under PMC 6.20. Roosters are prohibited. A free permit from Pasadena Humane may be required.
How far must a chicken coop be from my house?
At least 35 feet from any dwelling (unless your own), and not within any required zoning setback.
South Gate FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in South Gate?
A small number of hens (no roosters) may be kept on a residential lot under Title 4 / Chapter 7.22, but coops must be set back from neighbors and kept sanitary. Verify the current hen count limit and setback at eCode360.com/SO4650 before building a coop, because South Gate has historically enforced this strictly.
Are roosters allowed?
No. Roosters create the kind of recurring noise nuisance that Chapter 7.22 (Animal Control) and Chapter 7.44 (Noise) expressly authorize SEAACA to abate, and they are not consistent with the R-1 residential character protected by Chapter 11.25.
Can I keep goats, pigs or a cow?
No. South Gate is a dense urban LA County city; livestock are not an enumerated permitted use in any residential zone under Chapter 11.25, and a use-variance for residential livestock is not realistic on a typical South Gate lot.
Who do I call about a livestock or animal complaint?
SEAACA — Southeast Area Animal Control Authority — at 562-803-3301. SEAACA is South Gate's contracted animal control agency and handles licensing, impoundment, and code enforcement for animal nuisances.
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