Can I keep backyard chickens in Manhattan Beach, California?
Hens appear to be allowed as small domestic pets in Manhattan Beach's residential districts, but they count toward a limit of five small household pets per home. Roosters, ducks, geese and other farm animals or livestock are not allowed.
| Hens | Counted as domestic animals (pets) [1] |
| Roosters, ducks, geese, peafowl | Not domestic animals; farm animals prohibited [1] |
| Small household pets per unit | Up to 5 in any combination [2] |
| Dogs and cats per unit | Up to 5 in any combination [2] |
| Farm animals and livestock | Prohibited in residential districts [3] |
Hens count as pets
Manhattan Beach's zoning code defines "domestic animal" as small animals generally accepted as pets, and the definition expressly lists hens, while excluding roosters, ducks, geese, pea fowl, goats, sheep and hogs [1]. So hens fall on the allowed side of the line and roosters don't.
How many
In the residential districts, keeping domestic animals is permitted, with dogs and cats capped at five per residential unit and other small domestic household pets, such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, capped at five in any combination [2]. The code doesn't list hens by name in that limit, but because hens are defined as domestic animals, the most reasonable reading is that they count toward the five small household pets. Practically, that means no more than five hens (fewer if you also keep rabbits or similar pets).
What's prohibited
Common varieties of farm animals, livestock, exotic animals and wild animals are prohibited in residential districts, with an exception only for pot-bellied pigs permitted by Animal Control [3]. Roosters, ducks and geese, which are excluded from the domestic-animal definition, fall under this prohibition.
Coops and permits
The zoning code we reviewed has no chicken-specific permit, license or coop setback. A coop would be treated like any other accessory structure (see the sheds page for setbacks). The city's animal control regulations, which may add licensing or nuisance rules, were not among the sources we reviewed, so check with the city before getting birds.
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Next steps
- Keep hens only (no roosters, ducks or geese) and stay within five small household pets per residential unit in total.
- Contact Community Development or the city's Animal Control office (see the city website) to confirm there is no separate permit or licensing rule for hens.
- Place any coop according to accessory-structure setbacks in Sec. 10.52.050, and check HOA or CC&R rules, which may be stricter.
Common questions
- Can I have backyard chickens in Manhattan Beach, California?
- Hens appear to be allowed as small domestic pets in Manhattan Beach's residential districts, but they count toward a limit of five small household pets per home.
- Can I keep a rooster in Manhattan Beach, California?
- No. Roosters, ducks, geese and other farm animals or livestock are not allowed.
- How many pets can I have per home in Manhattan Beach, California?
- Up to 5 small household pets in any combination, and separately up to 5 dogs and cats in any combination.
California state rules on backyard chickens
California has no statewide right to keep backyard chickens, and no state law sets hen limits, rooster bans or coop setbacks for homes. Those rules come from your city or county, usually in the zoning code, the animal-control ordinance or both. Some cities allow a few hens by right, some require a permit, some ban poultry in residential zones, and many ban roosters.
A few state laws still matter:
- Right-to-farm protection is for commercial farms: Civil Code §3482.5 shields commercial agricultural operations that have run for more than three years from new nuisance claims. It doesn't protect a backyard flock from local rules or neighbor complaints.
- Cockfighting is a crime: under Penal Code §597b, making roosters fight for amusement or gain, or allowing it on your property, is a criminal offense. That's one reason some cities limit roosters.
- Bird flu (H5N1): the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) asks all poultry and livestock owners to practice biosecurity (limit contact with wild birds, monitor flock health) and to report sick birds. The CDFA bird flu line is 1-866-922-2473.
- Hen housing standards (Prop 2 / Prop 12, Health & Safety Code §25990 et seq.) set minimum space for egg-laying hens. They're aimed at commercial egg production and sales, not typical backyard flocks.
- Nuisance and health rules still apply: cities and counties can address odor, noise, flies and rodents under local nuisance and health ordinances.
Check your city's municipal code, and any HOA rules, before getting birds.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 10.04.030, "Animal, Domestic", Municipal Code Title 10 Part I General Provisions (10.04.030 Definitions; use classifications)
Small animals of the type generally accepted as pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hens, fish and the like, but not including roosters, ducks, geese, pea fowl, goats, sheep, hogs or the like.
- Sec. 10.12.020, R Districts Additional Land Use Regulation (M), Municipal Code Title 10 Part II Base District Regulations (Ch. 10.12 Residential Districts; 10.12.020(M) domestic animals)
The keeping of domestic animals is permitted including: dogs and cats not to exceed five (5) for each residential living unit in any combination thereof and the young thereof not exceeding four (4) months in age, and other small domestic household pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. not to exceed five (5) in any combination thereof.
- Sec. 10.12.020, R Districts Additional Land Use Regulation (M), Municipal Code Title 10 Part II Base District Regulations (Ch. 10.12 Residential Districts; 10.12.020(M) domestic animals)
Common varieties of farm animals, livestock, exotic animals or wild animals (as defined in Section 10.04.030 ) are prohibited, except for Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, also known as pygmy pigs or mini-pigs, as permitted by the Animal Control Department.