Chickens & Livestock: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Santa Rosa, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Santa Rosa and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations) is the controlling code for animal keeping. Farm animals are broadly permitted in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and RR districts subject to parcel-size limits, while the R1 single-family residential zone allows up to six hens housed in a rear-yard coop and no roosters or larger livestock.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations) is the controlling code for animal keeping. Farm animals are broadly permitted in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and RR districts subject to parcel-size limits, while the R1 single-family residential zone allows up to six hens housed in a rear-yard coop and no roosters or larger livestock.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Rosa | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Code | Sonoma County Code Ch. 26 | Sonoma County Code Ch. 26 |
| R1 Hen Limit | Up to 6 hens, rear-yard coop | Up to 6 hens, rear-yard coop |
| R1 Roosters | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| RR Chickens | ~50 per 20,000 sq ft (small parcels) | ~50 per 20,000 sq ft (small parcels) |
| Ag Zones | LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, RR | LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, RR |
| Density Cap Trigger | ≤5 ac (RR), ≤2 ac (other ag zones) | ≤5 ac (RR), ≤2 ac (other ag zones) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Rosa FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Yes, with limits that depend on zoning. R1 (single-family residential) parcels may keep up to 6 hens housed in a rear-yard coop and secure enclosure. Larger numbers and other livestock require AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, or RRD zoning.
Are roosters allowed in Sonoma County?
Roosters are not permitted in the R1 single-family residential zone. They are allowed in agricultural and rural-residential districts (AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, RRD), but persistent crowing can still be cited as a noise nuisance under the county code.
How many chickens can I keep on a rural-residential lot?
In the RR (Rural Residential) zone, the county code generally allows about 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft of parcel area on lots of 5 acres or less. Larger RR parcels have no fixed cap and are limited only by setback and nuisance rules.
Can I raise goats, sheep, or cattle in my Sonoma County backyard?
Only if your parcel is zoned AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, or RRD. Larger livestock are not allowed in the R1 single-family residential zone regardless of lot size.
Sonoma FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Yes, with limits that depend on zoning. R1 (single-family residential) parcels may keep up to 6 hens housed in a rear-yard coop and secure enclosure. Larger numbers and other livestock require AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, or RRD zoning.
Are roosters allowed in Sonoma County?
Roosters are not permitted in the R1 single-family residential zone. They are allowed in agricultural and rural-residential districts (AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, RRD), but persistent crowing can still be cited as a noise nuisance under the county code.
How many chickens can I keep on a rural-residential lot?
In the RR (Rural Residential) zone, the county code generally allows about 50 chickens per 20,000 sq ft of parcel area on lots of 5 acres or less. Larger RR parcels have no fixed cap and are limited only by setback and nuisance rules.
Can I raise goats, sheep, or cattle in my Sonoma County backyard?
Only if your parcel is zoned AR, RR, LIA, LEA, DA, or RRD. Larger livestock are not allowed in the R1 single-family residential zone regardless of lot size.
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