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Can I keep backyard chickens in Santa Barbara, California?

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County · Ordinances checked 2026-10-05 · Reviewed · 7 cited sections

Allowed

Yes. Santa Barbara lets anyone keep up to two chickens as pets; above that, up to 15 are allowed in the RS-7.5 and RS-10 single-family zones and 30 in the larger-lot RS-15, RS-25 and RS-1a zones. The RS-6 zone isn't named in either list, so on an RS-6 lot plan on two pet hens unless the city confirms otherwise. Roosters are banned, and coops must be outside the front yard and at least 35 feet from a neighbor's home.

Pet exception2 or fewer chickens/rabbits/fowl kept as pets are exempt from the conditions [1]
Max birds (RS-7.5, RS-10, R-2, R-M, R-MH; coastal R-1, E-2, E-3 and others)15 rabbits, chickens or fowl combined [2]
Max birds (RS-15, RS-25, RS-1a; coastal E-1, A-1, A-2)30 rabbits, chickens or fowl combined [3]
RoostersProhibited [5]
Coop locationOutside the front yard [4]
Coop distance from neighbor's home35 ft from any dwelling on an adjoining lot [4]
Coop distance from schools/parks/hospitals100 ft [4]
Goats, sheep, hogs, cowsOnly on lots of 1.5 acres or more [6]

Two pet hens: no conditions

The animal-keeping rules in Municipal Code §6.08.010 exempt two or fewer rabbits, chickens or fowl kept as pets and not for commercial or breeding purposes [1]. Above that number, the conditions below apply.

How many birds by zone

  • Up to 15 rabbits, chickens or fowl in any combination on property zoned (inland, Title 30) R-MH, R-M, R-2, RS-7.5 or RS-10, or (coastal, Title 28) R-4, R-3, R-2, R-1, E-3 or E-2 [2].
  • Up to 30 in the inland RS-15, RS-25 and RS-1a zones and the coastal E-1, A-2 and A-1 zones [3].

The inland RS-6 zone, one of the city's single-family zones, isn't named in either list. As written, an RS-6 lot appears limited to the two-pet exception; confirm with the city before keeping more.

Coops

Birds must be kept in a cage, hutch or coop kept clean and sanitary. The coop must be outside the front yard, at least 35 feet from any home or other structure used for human habitation on an adjoining lot, and at least 100 feet from a school, park, hospital or similar institution [4]. The 35-foot distance is measured to the neighbor's house, not to the property line.

Roosters

Keeping a rooster is unlawful anywhere in the city [5].

Other animals

Cows, hogs, sheep, goats and other hoofed animals (other than horses) aren't allowed on lots under 1.5 acres, and their pens or barns must be at least 35 feet from any property line or dwelling [6]. Horses are governed separately by zoning §30.185.210. Up to 100 racing or homing pigeons are allowed per property.

Permits

The chapter sets no permit or license for hens. Zoning lists animal keeping as an allowed use subject to Chapter 6.08 [7].

California has no statewide backyard-chicken law, so these city rules control.

See how Santa Barbara compares with 8+ other California towns on backyard chickens →

Next steps

  1. Confirm your zone on the City's zoning map (inland Title 30 or coastal Title 28) to see whether the 15- or 30-bird limit applies, and ask Planning about RS-6 lots.
  2. Site the coop outside the front yard and at least 35 ft from any neighbor's house (100 ft from schools, parks or hospitals).
  3. Get hens only; roosters are prohibited citywide.
  4. If the coop is large, check with the Building & Safety Division whether it needs a permit as an accessory structure.

Common questions

Can I have chickens in Santa Barbara, California?
Yes. Anyone in Santa Barbara can keep up to two chickens as pets with no conditions. Above that, up to 15 are allowed in zones such as RS-7.5 and RS-10, and 30 in the larger-lot RS-15, RS-25 and RS-1a zones.
How many chickens can I have in Santa Barbara, California?
Two pet chickens are allowed anywhere. Up to 15 rabbits, chickens or fowl combined are allowed in zones including RS-7.5, RS-10, R-2 and R-M, and 30 in RS-15, RS-25 and RS-1a. The RS-6 zone isn't named in either list, so on an RS-6 lot plan on two pet hens unless the city confirms otherwise.
Are roosters allowed in Santa Barbara, California?
No. Keeping a rooster is unlawful anywhere in Santa Barbara.
Where can I put a chicken coop in Santa Barbara, California?
The coop must be outside the front yard, at least 35 feet from any home on an adjoining lot (measured to the neighbor's house, not the property line), and at least 100 feet from a school, park, hospital or similar institution. It must be kept clean and sanitary.
Do I need a permit for chickens in Santa Barbara, California?
No. The animal-keeping chapter sets no permit or license for hens. If the coop is large, check with the Building & Safety Division whether it needs a permit as an accessory structure.

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.

State sources: Civil Code §3482.5 (right to farm for commercial agriculture) · Penal Code §597b (animal and cock fighting) · Health & Safety Code §25991 (farm animal confinement definitions) · CDFA, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu)

What the ordinance says

Exact text from Santa Barbara's published ordinances. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. SBMC §6.08.010.A, Raising Rabbits, Chickens and Fowl, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    Except where two or fewer rabbits, chickens or fowl are kept as pets and not for commercial or breeding purposes, rabbits, chickens and other fowl may not be kept or raised unless in accordance with the following conditions:
  2. SBMC §6.08.010.A.1, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    No more than 15 rabbits, chickens or fowl, or any combination thereof, may be kept at any one time on any premises zoned pursuant to Title 28 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code as R-4, R-3, R-2, R-1, E-3, or E-2, or zoned pursuant to Title 30 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code as R-MH, R-M, R-2, RS-7.5 or RS-10.
  3. SBMC §6.08.010.A.2, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    No more than 30 rabbits, chickens or fowl, or any combination thereof, may be kept at any one time on any premises zoned pursuant to Title 28 as E-1, A-2 or A-1, or zoned pursuant to Title 30 as RS-15, RS-25 or RS-1a.
  4. SBMC §6.08.010.A.4, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    Any such cage, hutch or coop shall be located outside the front yard, as that term is defined in Chapter 28.04 or Section 30.300.250, and shall be located at least 100 feet from any property being used as a school, park, hospital or similar institution and at least 35 feet from any dwelling unit or structure used for human habitation and located on an adjoining lot.
  5. SBMC §6.08.010.B Roosters, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    Roosters. It is unlawful to keep or maintain a rooster.
  6. SBMC §6.08.060 Keeping Livestock, SBMC Chapter 6.08 Care and Keeping of Animals (eCode360), p. 1
    it shall be unlawful for any person to keep any cow, calf, hog, sheep, goat or any other hoofed animal, other than horses, on any lot less than one and one-half (1-1/2) acres in size. In addition, no such animals, nor any pen, stable, barn or corral shall be kept or maintained within 35 feet of any property line, dwelling or other building used for human habitation.
  7. Table 30.20.020 Land Use Regulations–Residential Zones, Animal Keeping, Amendments to Title 30 (Inland Zoning Ordinance) - Single Family Streamlining, council adoption draft 04/14/26 showing changes from current code (posted as ADOPTED), p. 33
    §30.185.210, Horse Keeping and Animal Keeping A A A A SBMC 6.08, Care and Keeping of Animals
This page summarizes Santa Barbara's posted ordinances as of 2026-10-05. Ordinances are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Community Development - Building & Safety Division (building inspection & code compliance), 630 Garden Street ((805) 564-5485 x4371 (Building Counter); Planning Counter (805) 564-5578) before you build. Spot an error?