Can I keep backyard chickens in Westlake Village, California?
Only on larger lots. Westlake Village allows chickens and other fowl on parcels of 15,000 sq ft or more, up to 6 birds total, with a plot plan approved by the Planning Director. Coops must be at least 15 feet from any neighbor's home.
| Approval | Plot plan approved by the Planning Director [1] |
| Minimum parcel size | 15,000 sq ft [2] |
| Max number of fowl | 6 (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks combined) [2] |
| Coop setback from neighbors' homes | 15 feet [4] |
| Pigs, goats, sheep, cows | Prohibited [5] |
Who can keep chickens
Chickens fall under the fowl rules in the zoning code's animal chapter. Fowl are on the list of animals allowed only with a plot plan approved by the Planning Director [1]. They are permitted on parcels of 15,000 sq ft or larger, with no more than six fowl on the property [2]. The six-bird cap covers chickens, turkeys, peacocks, geese and ducks together. Many Westlake Village lots, especially in RPD neighborhoods, are smaller than 15,000 sq ft, so check your parcel size first.
Roosters
The code doesn't treat roosters separately. A rooster counts as one of the six fowl, but other nuisance rules and HOA rules may still limit noisy birds.
Coop and enclosure rules
- Birds must be kept in a fenced or similarly enclosed area and kept sanitary at all times [3].
- Enclosures and coops must be at least 15 feet from any residence or other habitable structure other than your own home [4].
- The fowl rule sets no separate property-line setback, but the coop is still an accessory structure subject to the zone's accessory-structure setbacks.
Other animals
Horses need at least 15,000 sq ft for two, plus 10,000 sq ft for each additional horse [6]. Pigs, goats, sheep, cows and other livestock are prohibited [5]. Violations are infractions [7].
HOAs
Most Westlake Village neighborhoods have homeowners associations whose CC&Rs may be stricter than the City code.
See how Westlake Village compares with 8+ other California towns on backyard chickens →
Next steps
- Confirm your parcel is at least 15,000 sq ft (L.A. County Assessor records or the Planning Department).
- Prepare a plot plan showing the coop and run, with distances to your neighbors' homes (at least 15 feet), and submit it to the Westlake Village Planning Department for the Planning Director's approval (818-706-1613).
- Check your HOA's CC&Rs for any ban or limits on poultry before buying birds.
Common questions
- Can I have backyard chickens in Westlake Village, California?
- Only on larger lots. Westlake Village allows chickens and other fowl on parcels of 15,000 sq ft or more, with a plot plan approved by the Planning Director. Your HOA's CC&Rs may be stricter.
- How many chickens can I have in Westlake Village, California?
- No more than six fowl in total, and the cap covers chickens, turkeys, peacocks, geese and ducks together.
- Are roosters allowed in Westlake Village, California?
- The code doesn't treat roosters separately. A rooster counts as one of the six fowl, but other nuisance rules and HOA rules may still limit noisy birds.
- How far does a chicken coop have to be from neighbors in Westlake Village, California?
- Coops and enclosures must be at least 15 feet from any residence or other habitable structure other than your own home. The coop is also an accessory structure subject to the zone's accessory-structure setbacks.
- Can I keep goats or pigs in Westlake Village, California?
- No. Pigs, goats, sheep, cows and other livestock are prohibited in Westlake Village.
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. 9.23.030, Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
The following animals are permitted subject to approval of a plot plan by the Planning Director.
- Sec. 9.23.030 (Fowl), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Fowl, including but not limited to chickens, turkeys, peacocks, geese and ducks are permitted on parcels of fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet or larger, provided that not more than six (6) such fowl are maintained on the premises.
- Sec. 9.23.030 (Fowl), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Fowl shall be maintained within a fenced or similarly enclosed area, and further shall be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times.
- Sec. 9.23.030 (Fowl), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Such enclosures and accessory structures of buildings incidental to the keeping of fowl shall not be located closer than fifteen (15) feet from any residence or other structure intended for human habitation, other than the personal dwelling or residence of the owner or keeper thereof.
- Sec. 9.23.040, Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Large animals, farm animals or livestock (except horses) such as pigs, hogs, cows, sheep, goats and wild animals are prohibited.
- Sec. 9.23.030 (Horses), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Horses, provided that a minimum lot size of fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet is required to maintain up to two (2) horses, and further provided that an additional ten thousand (10,000) square feet is required for each additional horse.
- Sec. 9.23.050, Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.23 Animals (9.23.030 animals subject to Director's review), p. 1
Any person violating any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.