Chickens & Livestock: Tulare vs Visalia
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Visalia has fewer restrictions than Tulare.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare regulates animal keeping under Title 6 Chapter 6.12 (Tulare Animal Ordinance) and Title 10 zoning. Livestock at large is prohibited (§ 6.12), and animals must not become a public nuisance (§ 6.12.210). Commercial agricultural operations are exempted under Cal. Civ. Code § 3482.5 (Right to Farm) — important in dairy-heavy Tulare County.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Tulare County is one of California's leading agricultural counties, and the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance broadly permits chickens, roosters, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other livestock in agricultural (AE, AF) and most rural-residential zones. Standard residential R-A and R-1 zones limit the number and proximity to dwellings, and the California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code section 3482.5) protects ongoing ag operations from nuisance suits.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Animal ordinance | Tulare Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 | - |
| Nuisance section | § 6.12.210 (2+ residents must complain, or 1 if only resident within 300 ft) | - |
| Ag exemption | Cal. Civ. Code § 3482.5 (Right to Farm) protects commercial ag operations | - |
| Roosters | Banned in residential zones (2014 council vote upheld ban) | - |
| Rural Residential zone | Title 10 Ch. 10.28 R-A — broader livestock allowance | - |
| Code Authority | - | Tulare County Zoning Ordinance Part VII |
| Ag Zones (AE/AF) | - | Livestock broadly permitted |
| R-A and R-1 Zones | - | Small animals OK with setbacks |
| Right to Farm | - | Cal. Civil Code section 3482.5 |
| Permit Authority | - | RMA Planning (559) 624-7000 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I keep backyard hens in Tulare?
Hen-keeping is limited under city zoning. Check with the Tulare Planning Department at 411 E. Kern Ave. for current rules in your residential zone — Title 10 (Zoning) controls. Roosters are banned citywide based on California Poultry Federation disease guidance.
My neighbor has goats — can I complain?
Under § 6.12.210 you can request investigation, but two neighbors from separate residences must file a written affirmation (or one neighbor if they're the only resident within 300 feet). The ag exemption under Cal. Civ. Code § 3482.5 protects commercial agricultural operations.
Does the dairy across the street count as a nuisance?
No — commercial dairy operations are protected under California's Right to Farm Act (Civ. Code § 3482.5), which is explicitly incorporated into Tulare's § 6.12.210.
Visalia FAQ
Can I keep chickens or roosters in unincorporated Tulare County?
Yes - chickens are permitted in agricultural and most rural-residential zones, with the Zoning Ordinance setting minimum lot sizes and coop setbacks from neighboring homes. Roosters are allowed but can be cited as an Animal Nuisance under Section 4-07 if crowing continuously exceeds 15 minutes per incident.
Are dairies and cattle ranches protected from nuisance complaints in Tulare County?
Yes. California Civil Code section 3482.5 (Right to Farm Act), together with Tulare County's local Right-to-Farm provisions, prevents agricultural operations that have run continuously for three or more years from being treated as a nuisance based solely on changed conditions like new nearby housing.
Compare other topics
See how Tulare and Visalia 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