Roosters, Chickens and Farm Animals in San Diego

Since 2012 the City has allowed backyard chickens under Municipal Code section 42.0709(e), in Chapter 4, Article 2, Division 7. The rules apply to a premises zoned for a single dwelling unit or developed with one, and to community gardens and retail farms. They do not apply to single dwelling units in agricultural base zones, which have their own rules.

• No roosters. The code says plainly that no rooster is permitted on these premises. The City's chicken page adds that hens lay eggs without one.
• How many hens. As of November 6, 2026, the number depends on where the coop sits:
  • up to 5 chickens if the coop is outside all required zoning setbacks;
  • up to 15 if the coop is outside the setbacks or 15 feet from the property line, whichever is greater;
  • up to 25 if the coop and the enclosure are at least 50 feet from any structure used as a residence.
• Typical setbacks. Setbacks depend on your zone. The City's chicken page says most single-family homes would generally be allowed five chickens with the coop in the rear yard, 5 feet from the side property lines and 13 feet from the rear property line. To confirm your zone and setbacks, the City's goats page points to its Zoning Map and to Development Services at 619-446-5000.
• Coop and run. The coop must be predator proof, well ventilated, watertight and easy to clean, with at least 6 square feet per chicken. It must open directly onto an outdoor enclosure that is predator proof, easy to clean, fenced to hold the chickens, and at least 10 square feet of ground per chicken.
• Feed and droppings. Section 42.0709 also requires feed to be stored in rodent-resistant containers and droppings and food scraps to be disposed of at least once a week. The City's chicken page asks keepers to keep animal waste and wash water out of the storm drains.

The same section has broader limits that cover all fowl (such as ducks and turkeys) and rabbits. As of November 6, 2026:

• 50 feet from homes. Section 42.0709(a) says fowl or rabbits may not be kept within 50 feet of any building used as a residence, except as the chicken rules above allow.
• Caps in residential zones. No more than 25 fowl and rabbits, or 100 racing, homing or fancy pigeons, or a combination above 100, under section 42.0709(d). Keeping more than those numbers is treated as a health regulated business under section 42.0708.
• Exceptions. The limits do not apply to animals kept for study in a school, museum or zoo, for medical or scientific work, in the AG-1-1, AG-1-2, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, IL-3-1 and IH-2-1 zones, or at businesses that sell them but do not raise them on site.

Section 44.0307, in Chapter 4, Article 4, Division 3, makes it unlawful to bring or keep cattle, goats or sheep in a non-agricultural zone, with three exceptions: dairies licensed in July 1953, goats brought in temporarily for brush management, and miniature goats on single-family lots.

• Miniature goats only, and exactly two. Pygmy, Dwarf and Miniature goats, on a premises zoned for or developed with a single dwelling unit. The code requires no more and no fewer than two, though offspring may stay for up to twelve weeks from birth. The City's goats page explains that goats are herd animals and need company.
• Dehorned and neutered. All miniature goats must be dehorned, and males must be neutered.
• Shed. Predator proof, ventilated, easy to clean, watertight and draft free, with at least 10 square feet inside, and located outside all required zoning setbacks.
• Enclosure. Directly connected to the shed, at least 400 square feet, secured by a fence at least 5 feet tall and secured from the outside so the goats cannot get out, free of anything the goats could climb out on, and easy to clean.
• No sales. Goat milk, cheese and similar products are for personal use only. Owners must also remove droppings often enough to prevent a health problem, fly breeding or runoff into the storm drains.

Chapter 4, Article 4, Division 3 defines a domestic animal as a horse, colt, mule, donkey, burro, ox, bull, cow, calf, hog, pig, sheep or standard goat, and section 44.0301 requires a permit before any of them is brought into or kept in the City. As of November 6, 2026:

• Pigs. Section 44.0309 says no one may bring or keep hogs, pigs or other swine in the City. The only exception is keeping that was lawfully in place before an area was annexed to the City, which may continue without growing only with a zone variance and a health permit. The code does not carve out miniature or pet pigs.
• Horses. Section 44.0308 allows a horse only if fewer than 300 dwelling units are within a belt one fourth of a mile wide around the stable, corral or pasture; there are 10,000 square feet of stable, pasture or corral for up to two horses, plus 5,000 square feet for each additional horse; the permit covers any horses beyond four; and no home other than the horse owner's is within a 75 foot belt around the stable, corral or pasture. Section 44.0308.1 requires corrals to be raked daily and manure kept in fly-tight bins and removed weekly.
• No running loose. Section 44.0319 makes it unlawful to let these animals run at large in the City, and section 44.0320 bars grazing them on land the owner has no right or written permission to use, or staking them where they can reach a neighbor's land, a street or a sidewalk.

A few parts of the City are zoned agricultural. In the City's agricultural base zones (AG and AR), the use table permits raising, maintaining and keeping animals. A footnote says keeping 10 or more domestic animals requires a premises of at least 5 acres, and in the AR zones the permitted use excludes swine. Section 44.0306 treats the AG-1-1, AG-1-2, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, IL-3-1 and IH-2-1 zones as agricultural areas for the animal rules. To look up your zone, use the City's Zoning Map or call Development Services at 619-446-5000.

A friendly conversation often works first: many keepers do not know the rules or how far the sound or smell carries. The City's Building and Land Use Enforcement page suggests mediation through the National Conflict Resolution Center at 619-238-2400.

• Crowing and other animal noise. The SDPD noise page sends animal noise complaints to the City's Building and Land Use Enforcement (BLUE) through a Request for Investigation, also available by phone at 619-236-5500. Municipal Code section 59.5.0502(c), in Chapter 5, Article 9.5, Division 5, covers animals whose frequent or long-continued noise would bother a reasonable person of normal sensitivity nearby. It says noise that disturbs two or more neighbors in separate homes next to the property, or three or more in separate homes close by, is prima facie evidence of a violation, so it helps if more than one household reports. See our noise complaints guide, and our dogs guide for barking.
• Odor and unsanitary pens. Section 42.0712 declares obnoxious odors or unsanitary conditions from pets a public nuisance, and the chicken, goat and horse rules above require regular removal of droppings and manure. As of November 6, 2026, we did not find a City page that names one office for animal odor complaints. The City's Animal Services page directs animal-related concerns to San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012, extension 1, or [email protected].
• Flies and rats. The County of San Diego Vector Control Program takes requests at 858-694-2888, [email protected], or its online request form. It offers a free, educational rat inspection outside buildings and educational fly consultations, but says it is not pest control and does not trap, bait or remove rats or flies. Its flies page notes that house flies often lay eggs in animal waste and that wet manure draws flies. More in our mosquitoes, rats and pests guide.
• Neglect, cruelty or an injured animal. San Diego Humane Society is the City's primary animal control agency. Its Humane Law Enforcement officers investigate suspected cruelty and neglect. Call 619-299-7012, extension 1, which the City lists as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the Animal Cruelty form on the Humane Law page. For non-urgent concerns, email [email protected]; the City notes that inbox is checked often but not in real time.
• A goat, horse or flock loose in the street. Call San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012, extension 1. If the animal is in traffic and could cause a crash or hurt someone, call 911. Do not try to catch a large animal on a busy road yourself. For strays, injured animals and dead animals on the street, see our dead and stray animals guide.
• A rooster, too many birds, or goats where they are not allowed. These are violations of the keeping rules in Chapter 4 of the Municipal Code. As of November 6, 2026, we did not find a City page that names one office for them. If the problem is crowing, report it as animal noise to BLUE. For other animal-related concerns, the City points to San Diego Humane Society at 619-299-7012, extension 1.

Outside the City of San Diego, check San Diego Humane Society's jurisdiction chart. In unincorporated County areas, the County Department of Animal Services emergency line is 619-236-2341.

• Animal noise (BLUE). Animal noise is in BLUE's Alternative Compliance group. As of November 6, 2026, the City says a case is opened right away, and after a short review staff send information to both the person complained about and the person who complained, encouraging the neighbors to work it out. BLUE does not accept anonymous requests, and it keeps the complainant's information confidential except in rare court proceedings. You will be asked whether you have contacted the responsible party.
• Tracking a BLUE case. Case numbers start with CE-, and you can check the status on the City's code enforcement records search. For more on how BLUE investigates and what it can do when it finds a violation, see our code enforcement guide.
• Animal welfare (San Diego Humane Society). Humane officers are in the field seven days a week and, San Diego Humane Society says, have peace officer powers during investigations under state law. Emergencies go to the 24-hour line; email reports are reviewed but not in real time.
• Flies and rats (County Vector Control). Include your name, phone number, the location and a short description. The County says you can also report a problem in your area without asking for an inspection of your own property. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
• If nothing changes. Keep a simple log of dates, times and what you heard, smelled or saw, and report again with your earlier case number. Mediation through the National Conflict Resolution Center (619-238-2400) is available at any point.