Backyard Livestock Laws in California
California does not have a statewide preemption law that standardizes livestock ordinances across all municipalities — rules are set at the city and county level. This guide covers the major cities and counties in California where backyard livestock questions are most commonly searched.
Chickens are permitted in virtually all California residential municipalities, but bee ordinances are more restrictive in Southern California due to Africanized honeybee presence. The state does not preempt local livestock ordinances.
Major California Cities — Chicken & Livestock Rules Summary
| City / County | Current Rules (verify locally) |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, rear yard only, no permit required in most zones |
| San Diego | Up to 25 hens with permit in residential zones; use permit required |
| Sacramento | Up to 10 hens, no roosters, must be 20 ft from dwelling |
| San Jose | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, no permit, rear yard only |
| Oakland | Chickens, ducks, rabbits permitted; goats allowed with use permit on lots over 4,000 sq ft |
| Fresno | Up to 6 hens in residential, no roosters, coop must be 50 ft from adjacent dwelling |
Data current as of late 2024. Ordinances change — always verify with your local planning department.
State-Level Registration Requirements
Beekeeping: California requires registration of all managed honey bee hives with the California Department of Agriculture. Contact your state's apiary division for current registration fees and requirements.
Livestock generally: California does not require state-level registration for small-scale backyard livestock (chickens, goats, rabbits) below commercial thresholds. However, certain disease reporting requirements may apply if your flock shows signs of reportable diseases — contact your state Department of Agriculture's animal health division for details.
Finding Unincorporated County Rules in California
If your property is in an unincorporated area (not within city limits), county zoning rules apply rather than municipal ordinances. County rules are generally more permissive than city ordinances. To confirm whether you're incorporated or unincorporated, check your county assessor's parcel records — the "jurisdiction" or "municipality" field will show if you're in a city or in unincorporated county territory.