Can I keep chickens in Salinas, CA?
No — Salinas does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Salinas City Code § 7-21 (Keeping of livestock prohibited); Zoning Code Ch. 37 definitions ('Animal, Domestic'; 'Animal Husbandry') and Table 37-30.10, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop rules | Not applicable. Poultry and fowl are 'livestock' under City Code Sec. 7-21 and are prohibited except where the Zoning Code allows them; the Zoning Code's 'Animal, Domestic' definition (the only animal use permitted by right in residential districts) expressly excludes chickens, ducks and geese, and 'Animal Husbandry' is allowed only by conditional use permit in the Agricultural (A) district. |
| Code section | Salinas City Code § 7-21 (Keeping of livestock prohibited); Zoning Code Ch. 37 definitions ('Animal, Domestic'; 'Animal Husbandry') and Table 37-30.10 |
Salinas does not allow backyard chickens on residential lots. City Code Sec. 7-21 bans livestock, which it defines to include poultry and fowl, except where the Zoning Code permits them; the Zoning Code only lets residential lots keep 'domestic animals', a definition that expressly excludes chickens, ducks and geese. Poultry raising is possible only as 'animal husbandry' with a conditional use permit in the Agricultural district. City Council rejected a backyard-hen ordinance 5-2 in January 2022 and has not adopted one since.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Salinas?
No — chickens are not allowed in Salinas (Salinas City Code § 7-21 (Keeping of livestock prohibited); Zoning Code Ch. 37 definitions ('Animal, Domestic'; 'Animal Husbandry') and Table 37-30.10).
Are roosters allowed in Salinas?
No — roosters are prohibited in Salinas.
What law covers backyard chickens in Salinas?
Salinas City Code § 7-21 (Keeping of livestock prohibited); Zoning Code Ch. 37 definitions ('Animal, Domestic'; 'Animal Husbandry') and Table 37-30.10. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Salinas City Code § 7-21 (Keeping of livestock prohibited); Zoning Code Ch. 37 definitions ('Animal, Domestic'; 'Animal Husbandry') and Table 37-30.10 — read the official code
“Chickens permitted as accessory residential use; roosters prohibited” source
“Sec. 7-21. - Keeping of livestock prohibited. The keeping of livestock shall be prohibited in the city, except as may otherwise be permitted pursuant to Chapter 37 of the city Code. For purposes of this chapter, 'livestock' shall be defined to mean animals typically associated with or typically kept or raised in an agricultural or ranching or farming setting and includes, but is not necessarily limited to, cows, pigs, sheep, horses, alpaca, goats, and poultry or fowl.” source
“Animal, Domestic. Animals of the type generally accepted as pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and the like. Excludes hoofed animals, chickens, ducks, geese, peafowl, fish, and the like, and any animals, birds, or fish maintained for commercial purposes.” source
“Animals-Domestic P (7) ... (7) Not more than four domestic animals are permitted per residential dwelling unit except that newborn and baby animals up to the age of three months shall not be counted. ... Table 37-30.10 Agricultural (A) District Use Classifications: Agricultural Uses P (3) ... (3) Animal husbandry may be allowed with a CUP.” 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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