Can I keep chickens in San Diego, CA?
Yes, with conditions — San Diego allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 25 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 42.0709(e), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 25 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | Single-dwelling-unit lots. Up to 5 chickens if the coop is outside all required setbacks; up to 15 if the coop is also at least 15 feet from the property line; up to 25 if the coop and enclosure are at least 50 feet from any residential structure. Coop at least 6 sq ft per chicken and outdoor run at least 10 sq ft per chicken. No roosters. |
| Code section | San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 42.0709(e) |
San Diego allows up to 25 chickens on a single-family lot, with the number set by where the coop sits: five with the coop outside required setbacks, fifteen if it is also 15 feet from the property line, and twenty-five if it is 50 feet from any home. Roosters are not permitted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in San Diego?
Yes, with conditions — San Diego allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 42.0709(e)).
How many chickens can I keep in San Diego?
Up to 25 hens. Tiered by where the coop sits, not by lot size: up to 5 chickens with the coop outside all required zoning setbacks; up to 15 with the coop outside required setbacks or 15 ft from the property line, whichever is greater; up to 25 with the coop and enclosure at least 50 ft from any structure used for residential purposes. Coop 6 sq ft and run 10 sq ft per chicken.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in San Diego?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in San Diego.
Are roosters allowed in San Diego?
No — roosters are prohibited in San Diego.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in San Diego?
50 feet minimum. Single-dwelling-unit lots. Up to 5 chickens if the coop is outside all required setbacks; up to 15 if the coop is also at least 15 feet from the property line; up to 25 if the coop and enclosure are at least 50 feet from any residential structure. Coop at least 6 sq ft per chicken and outdoor run at least 10 sq ft per chicken. No roosters.
What law covers backyard chickens in San Diego?
San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 42.0709(e). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
San Diego Municipal Code Sec. 42.0709(e) — read the official code
“Up to 5 fowl at 50 feet setback; up to 15 fowl at 50-100 feet; up to 25 fowl at 100+ feet from neighboring residences” source
“Up to five chickens may be kept... provided that the coop is located outside of all required setbacks as established by Chapter 13, Article 1 ... Up to fifteen chickens... coop... outside of all required setbacks... or 15 feet from the property line, whichever is greater ... Up to twenty-five chickens... provided that the coop and the enclosure are a minimum of 50 feet from any structure used for residential purposes” source
“No rooster shall be permitted on the premises.” source
Last verified September 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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