Can I keep backyard chickens in Orinda, California?
Only on larger lots: Orinda's zoning lets you keep chickens on a residential lot of 20,000 net square feet or more, with the coop at least 60 feet from the front or street line and 40 feet from side and rear lines. On smaller lots chickens aren't allowed, because the code doesn't count them as pets. The code sets no hen limit or rooster rule.
| Minimum lot size for chickens | 20,000 net sq ft [1] |
| Coop setbacks | 60 ft from front property line or any street; 40 ft from side and rear lines [5] |
| Large animals (horses, cattle) | Lots of 40,000+ net sq ft; 1 per 20,000 sq ft of lot [1] |
| Chickens as pets (domestic animals) | No, chickens are excluded from the definition [2] |
| Chickens classed as | Small animals [3] |
| Exotic animals | Use permit required [1] |
Lot size decides
Orinda's residential use rules allow keeping small animals such as chickens, rabbits and mink on residential lots of 20,000 net square feet or more [1]. The definitions treat chickens as "small animals" [3], and they are expressly excluded from "domestic animals" (pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits and songbirds), which are allowed on any residential lot [2]. So on a lot under 20,000 net square feet, the code gives no basis for keeping hens. "Net" lot area excludes areas such as rights-of-way, so check your parcel's net size, not just the gross acreage.
Which zones
In the land use schedule, "keeping of animals" is a limited ("L") use in the RVL and RL districts and is shown with a dash (not permitted) in the RM (medium density) and RH (high density) districts [4]. Most single-family neighborhoods are in RL districts, but lots zoned RL-6, RL-10, RL-12 and RL-15 have prescribed lot sizes below 20,000 square feet, so many homes there won't qualify unless the individual lot is larger.
Coop setbacks
Chicken coops, rabbit hutches and similar shelters must be at least 60 feet from the front property line or any street line and at least 40 feet from any side or rear property line [5]. These are much larger than normal house setbacks, so check that your yard can fit a coop before buying birds. Barns and stables for large animals need 100 feet from the front and 50 feet from side and rear lines.
Numbers and roosters
The sections we reviewed don't set a maximum number of hens and don't address roosters. Raising animals or producing eggs on a commercial basis is "animal husbandry," a separate use that needs a use permit in RVL and RL districts [4]. Noise and nuisance complaints are handled by Code Enforcement.
Larger animals
Horses, cattle and other large animals need a lot of at least 40,000 net square feet, with one animal per 20,000 square feet of lot [1]. Exotic animals need a use permit [1].
See how Orinda compares with 8+ other California towns on backyard chickens →
Next steps
- Confirm your lot's zoning district and net lot area (20,000 sq ft or more) with the Orinda Planning Department, 22 Orinda Way (925-253-4210).
- Site the coop at least 60 feet from the front property line or any street and 40 feet from side and rear property lines.
- Check any HOA rules or recorded restrictions, which can be stricter than the zoning code.
Common questions
- Can I have backyard chickens in Orinda, California?
- Only on larger lots. Orinda's zoning allows chickens on a residential lot of 20,000 net square feet or more. On smaller lots chickens aren't allowed, because the code treats them as small animals, not pets.
- How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Orinda, California?
- Chicken coops must be at least 60 feet from the front property line or any street line and at least 40 feet from any side or rear property line.
- How many chickens can I have in Orinda, California?
- The code sections reviewed don't set a maximum number of hens. Raising animals or producing eggs on a commercial basis is animal husbandry, which needs a use permit in RVL and RL districts.
- Are roosters allowed in Orinda, California?
- The code sections reviewed don't address roosters. Noise and nuisance complaints are handled by Code Enforcement, and HOA rules or recorded restrictions can be stricter than the zoning code.
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
- OMC §17.3.8 Keeping animals, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.3 Residential District Base Use Restrictions (17.3.4 ADUs; 17.3.7 Home occupations; 17.3.8 Keeping animals; 17.3.12 Short-term rentals), p. 1
Large animals such as horses and cattle may only be kept on lots of forty thousand (40,000) net square feet or more, allowing one large animal for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of net lot size. Keeping small animals such as chickens, rabbits and mink is permitted on residential lots of twenty thousand (20,000) net square feet or more. Keeping exotic animals is subject to obtaining a use permit under
- OMC §17.2 Definitions, Animal, Domestic, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.2 Definitions, p. 1
"Domestic animal" means a small animal of the type generally accepted as a pet, including dog, cat, rabbit, songbird, fish, and the like, but not including chickens, ducks, goose, fowl, hogs or the like.
- OMC §17.2 Definitions, Animal, Small, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.2 Definitions, p. 1
"Small animal" means an animal typically no larger than three and one-half feet in height or two hundred fifty (250) pounds. This term includes fish, birds, goats and chickens, and any mammal customarily kept as a domestic pet within a dwelling unit.
- OMC §17.3.3(A) Permitted Uses, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.3 Residential District Base Use Restrictions (17.3.4 ADUs; 17.3.7 Home occupations; 17.3.8 Keeping animals; 17.3.12 Short-term rentals), p. 1
A use classification followed by the letter "L" is a permitted use that is subject to certain limitations prescribed under the "Additional Use Regulations" which follow within this chapter.
- OMC §17.4.23 Accessory structures and enclosures for nondomestic animals, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
Chicken coops, rabbit hutches, and similar accessory structures provided for the housing of small animals shall be set back not less than sixty (60) feet from the front property line or any street line, and shall be not less than forty (40) feet from any side or rear property line;