Does California Have a Statewide Backyard Chicken Law?
California has no statewide law establishing a right to keep backyard chickens. All rules are set locally by cities and counties. California Vehicle Code Section 32105 allows cities to license bicycles but has no relevance here — chicken rules come from local municipal codes. The California Department of Food and Agriculture focuses on commercial poultry; backyard flocks are regulated locally.
HOA Authority in California
California HOAs can ban chickens through CC&Rs. There is no California statute equivalent to Florida's HB 1203 that prevents HOA chicken bans. Even in cities that permit chickens, your HOA's CC&Rs govern your private property obligations.
Cities in California
Select a city below for a detailed ordinance guide, or use the Ordinance Finder tool to look up your city's rules.
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento
- Fresno
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Long Beach
- Oakland
- Bakersfield
California cities vary enormously in their approach to backyard chickens. Dense urban cities like San Francisco limit flocks to 4 hens; larger suburban cities may allow 10–25. The 50-foot setback from neighbor dwellings in San Diego is among the strictest in the state.
General Advice for California Residents
Even if your city allows backyard chickens, there are always additional layers to check: your specific zoning classification, your HOA's CC&Rs, and whether a permit is required before you bring hens home. Use our free checklist to work through each step.