Keeping of Chickens

Sacramento City Code tit. 9, ch. 9.44, art. XI

in effect

Sacramento City Code § 9.44.860 Keeping of chickens-Unlawful-Restrictions.

9.44.860 Keeping of chickens-Unlawful-Restrictions. A. It is unlawful to keep, possess, or maintain chickens on any parcel of property located in the city, except in accordance with the following restrictions: 1. A maximum of three hen chickens may be kept on a developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes, but only if authorized under a permit issued pursuant to this article. 2. All hen chickens shall be confined in a pen, coop, or cage, or other enclosure at all times. 3. All hen chickens shall be kept within an enclosure that is at least 20 feet distant from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel. The definition of "dwelling unit" in section 17.108.050 of this code shall apply to this section. Enclosures shall be situated in the rear yard. Enclosures shall not obstruct or partially obstruct any required exits from any dwelling unit. 4. No hen chickens shall be kept in the front yard on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes. 5. No hen chickens kept on a lot shall be allowed to create a noise disturbance audible on any adjoining lot. 6. No hen chickens shall be slaughtered on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes. B. Roosters are not permitted on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 30; Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

Sacramento City Code § 9.44.870 Permit required.

9.44.870 Permit required. It is unlawful for any person to keep, possess, or maintain any hen chicken on any lot used exclusively for residential purposes without first obtaining a permit from the animal care services manager. Permits are the property of the city and are not transferable. (Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

Sacramento City Code § 9.44.880 Permit requirements.

9.44.880 Permit requirements. A. Application-Permit Fee. An application for a permit for keeping hen chickens shall be made on a form provided by the animal care services manager, shall be accompanied by payment of a nonrefundable annual permit fee in an amount set by resolution of the city council, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: the number of hen chickens; a description of all pens, coops, cages, and enclosures constructed for housing and confining hen chickens; the distance of the location of all pens, coops, cages, and enclosures from all dwelling units on adjacent parcels; and such other information as the animal care services manager reasonably deems necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this article. The annual nonrefundable permit fee shall recover the cost of activities associated with the administration, regulation, and issuance of permits. If at any time any of the information submitted under this section becomes false or inaccurate, the permittee shall within five days of that time file an amendment to the application setting forth the currently accurate information. No additional fee shall be required for such an amendment. B. Permit Issuance-Term. Upon submission of a completed application and payment of the nonrefundable annual permit fee specified in subsection A above, and if the animal care services manager finds that the proposed keeping of hen chicken(s) complies with the requirements of article, the animal care services manager shall issue a permit. The permit shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. C. Permit Renewal. Permits for keeping hen chickens shall be renewable annually upon the filing and approval of a new application and payment of the nonrefundable annual permit fee specified in subsection A above. (Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

Sacramento City Code § 9.44.890 Regulations.

9.44.890 Regulations. The animal care services manager may promulgate regulations pursuant to this article to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to insure the proper and humane treatment of all hen chickens kept in the city. The regulations shall be effective upon approval by city council resolution. Violation of the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

Sacramento City Code § 9.44.900 Exceptions to restrictions.

9.44.900 Exceptions to restrictions. This article shall not apply: A. To any parcel of property zoned for agricultural uses by applicable provisions of the Planning and Development Code or to any property zoned rural estates and located within the area bounded by Sotnip Road on the south, Sorento Road on the west, and East Levee Road on the north and east (and generally known as Valley View Acres), or to any property zoned M-1(S)R-AOL and located with the area fronting on Ascot Avenue and bounded by Dry Creek Road on the west and Raley Boulevard on the east (and generally known as the Ascot Avenue overlay zone). B. Where keeping, harboring, or maintaining hen chickens would constitute a valid nonconforming use under the applicable provisions of the Planning and Development Code. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 31; Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

Source: City of Sacramento, Sacramento City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sacramentoca/latest/sacramento_ca/0-0-0-21427Fetched: 10/24/2026