Chickens & Livestock: Richmond vs Walnut Creek
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Richmond, CA and Walnut Creek, CA?
Richmond and Walnut Creek have similar restriction levels.
Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Richmond allows up to 6 hens in residential backyards with no roosters permitted. Coops must be set back at least 10 feet from any dwelling on neighboring property and kept clean to prevent odor and rodents. No permit required for basic backyard flocks; larger operations may require zoning review.
View full Richmond rules →Walnut Creek, CA
Contra Costa County
Walnut Creek permits backyard chickens in most residential zones with typical limits of 4-6 hens per lot, coops set back at least 10-15 feet from property lines and 25 feet from neighboring dwellings, and roosters are prohibited in standard single-family zones.
View full Walnut Creek rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Richmond | Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Typical max hens | - | 4-6 per residential lot |
| Roosters | - | Prohibited in standard residential |
| Coop setback | - | 10-15 ft property line |
| Coop setback from dwellings | - | ~25 ft neighboring homes |
| Slaughtering | - | Prohibited in residential zones |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Richmond FAQ
Can I keep a rooster if my lot is large?
No. Roosters are prohibited in Richmond residential zones regardless of lot size due to noise.
Can I sell eggs from my backyard hens?
Small-scale incidental sales are generally allowed under the California Cottage Food/Homemade Food Act framework, but commercial sales require zoning review.
Walnut Creek FAQ
Can I have chickens in my Walnut Creek backyard?
Yes, most residential zones allow 4-6 hens as an accessory use. You must comply with coop setbacks, keep the enclosure clean and rodent-resistant, and cannot keep roosters in standard residential zones.
Can I sell eggs from my backyard hens?
Small-volume egg sales from the home are permitted under California's Cottage Food Operation rules (AB 1616) with registration through the county. Commercial-scale sales require additional licensing.
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