Can I keep chickens in Fremont, CA?
Yes, with conditions — Fremont allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Fremont Municipal Code §§ 6.10.030, 6.10.040, 6.10.130, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 6,001 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Enclosure needs at least 10 sq ft of permeable land per chicken and may not be in the front yard. Required distance from any property line scales with flock size and lot: 1 to 5 chickens need 10 ft on a 6,001 to 9,999 sq ft lot; 6 to 10 chickens need 35 ft on a 10,000 to 21,779 sq ft lot; 11 to 15 chickens need 50 ft on 21,780 sq ft or more. Up to 6 female chickens, rabbits, pigeons and doves combined (max two species) are allowed by right; more requires an Animal Fancier permit under Chapter 6.40. No roosters. |
| Code section | Fremont Municipal Code §§ 6.10.030, 6.10.040, 6.10.130 |
Fremont allows up to 6 female chickens (combined with rabbits, pigeons and doves) on residential lots larger than 6,000 sq ft without a permit; lots of 6,000 sq ft or less may not keep chickens. The enclosure setback from property lines scales with flock size: 10 ft for 1 to 5 birds on lots under 10,000 sq ft, 35 ft for 6 to 10 birds on 10,000 to 21,779 sq ft lots, and 50 ft for 11 to 15 birds on larger lots (flocks above 6 need an Animal Fancier permit). Roosters are prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fremont?
Yes, with conditions — Fremont allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Fremont Municipal Code §§ 6.10.030, 6.10.040, 6.10.130).
How many chickens can I keep in Fremont?
Up to 6 hens. Tiered by lot size: 5 up to 9,999 sq ft; 6 up to 21,779 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Fremont?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Fremont.
Are roosters allowed in Fremont?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fremont.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Fremont?
10 feet minimum. Enclosure needs at least 10 sq ft of permeable land per chicken and may not be in the front yard. Required distance from any property line scales with flock size and lot: 1 to 5 chickens need 10 ft on a 6,001 to 9,999 sq ft lot; 6 to 10 chickens need 35 ft on a 10,000 to 21,779 sq ft lot; 11 to 15 chickens need 50 ft on 21,780 sq ft or more. Up to 6 female chickens, rabbits, pigeons and doves combined (max two species) are allowed by right; more requires an Animal Fancier permit under Chapter 6.40. No roosters.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Fremont?
Yes — 6,001 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fremont?
Fremont Municipal Code §§ 6.10.030, 6.10.040, 6.10.130. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Fremont Municipal Code §§ 6.10.030, 6.10.040, 6.10.130 — read the official code
“Maximum 6 female chickens on lots larger than 6,000 sq ft with 40-foot setback from neighboring dwellings” source
“6.10.040 Chickens, rabbits, pigeons, doves. On real property zoned residential with an area of more than 6,000 square feet, a pet owner may keep up to a maximum combined total of six female chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and doves, unless a permit is issued under Chapter 6.40. A maximum of two species of those animals allowed under this section may be kept on one lot.” source
“6.10.030 ... a pet owner may not keep any roosters or livestock, except goats (caprine type) with an animal fancier permit.” source
“6.10.130 Chickens - Enclosure and shelter. (a) The enclosure where chickens are kept must be a minimum size of 10 square feet of permeable land per chicken. (b) ... Number of Chickens / Minimum Distance From Any Property Line / Lot Square Footage: 0 / n/a / 6,000 or less; 1-5 / 10 feet / 6,001-9,999; 6-10 / 35 feet / 10,000-21,779; 11-15 / 50 feet / 21,780 or more. (Ord. 10-2022 § 4, 10-4-22.)” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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