Chickens & Livestock: Petaluma vs Rohnert Park
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Petaluma, CA and Rohnert Park, CA?
Petaluma and Rohnert Park have similar restriction levels.
Petaluma, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Zoning Code Chapter 26 allows chickens and livestock in unincorporated areas with caps that scale to parcel size and zoning district. In rural residential zones, one horse or cow, five goats, or fifty chickens are allowed per 20,000 square feet. There is no countywide ban on roosters, and the agricultural-residential and rural districts permit a broad range of farm animals.
View full Petaluma rules →Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Zoning Code Chapter 26 allows chickens and livestock in unincorporated areas with caps that scale to parcel size and zoning district. In rural residential zones, one horse or cow, five goats, or fifty chickens are allowed per 20,000 square feet. There is no countywide ban on roosters, and the agricultural-residential and rural districts permit a broad range of farm animals.
View full Rohnert Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Petaluma | Rohnert Park |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Sonoma County Zoning Code, Chapter 26 (Articles 8, 9, 18) | Sonoma County Zoning Code, Chapter 26 (Articles 8, 9, 18) |
| Rural Residential ratio | 1 horse/cow, 5 goats, or 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft | 1 horse/cow, 5 goats, or 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft |
| Small-parcel chicken cap | Max 50 chickens on parcels under threshold size | Max 50 chickens on parcels under threshold size |
| Roosters | Permitted countywide in unincorporated areas | Permitted countywide in unincorporated areas |
| Permitting agency | Permit Sonoma (Planning & Zoning) | Permit Sonoma (Planning & Zoning) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Petaluma FAQ
Can I keep chickens in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Yes, in most rural and agricultural zones. In the Rural Residential zone, you may have up to 50 chickens per 20,000 square feet. Some agricultural parcels over 2 acres have no numerical chicken cap.
Are roosters allowed?
Yes. Sonoma County's code does not ban roosters in unincorporated areas, though they can still trigger a public nuisance complaint under § 5-126 if they unreasonably disturb neighbors.
How many goats or cows can I have on a 1-acre RR parcel?
About two horses or cows, ten goats, or one hundred chickens (since the RR ratio is 1 horse/cow, 5 goats, or 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft and one acre is ~43,560 sq ft). Confirm with Permit Sonoma before stocking.
Rohnert Park FAQ
Can I keep chickens in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Yes, in most rural and agricultural zones. In the Rural Residential zone, you may have up to 50 chickens per 20,000 square feet. Some agricultural parcels over 2 acres have no numerical chicken cap.
Are roosters allowed?
Yes. Sonoma County's code does not ban roosters in unincorporated areas, though they can still trigger a public nuisance complaint under § 5-126 if they unreasonably disturb neighbors.
How many goats or cows can I have on a 1-acre RR parcel?
About two horses or cows, ten goats, or one hundred chickens (since the RR ratio is 1 horse/cow, 5 goats, or 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft and one acre is ~43,560 sq ft). Confirm with Permit Sonoma before stocking.
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