Can I keep chickens in Santa Clarita, CA?
Yes, with conditions — Santa Clarita allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 7 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 7 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry (excluding roosters) counts as 'other small animals': none on lots under 15,000 sq ft; 3 on 15,000-20,000; 4 on 20,001-25,000; 5 on 25,001-30,000; 6 on 30,001-35,000; 7 on 35,001 sq ft to 1 acre; 8 per acre above 1 acre. Roosters only on lots over 1 acre at one per acre. Animal structures at least 50 feet from any street or any building used for human habitation, fenced, kept clean, noise attenuated. |
| Code section | Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals) |
Santa Clarita ties backyard chickens to lot size. Lots under 15,000 square feet may keep none; the allowance climbs from three hens at 15,000 square feet to seven on lots approaching an acre, then eight per acre. Coops must be 50 feet from any street and any dwelling. Roosters are allowed only on lots over an acre, one per acre.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Santa Clarita?
Yes, with conditions — Santa Clarita allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals)).
How many chickens can I keep in Santa Clarita?
Up to 7 hens. Tiered by lot size: 0 up to 14,999 sq ft; 3 up to 20,000 sq ft; 4 up to 25,000 sq ft; 5 up to 30,000 sq ft; 6 up to 35,000 sq ft; 7 up to 43,560 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Santa Clarita?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Santa Clarita.
Are roosters allowed in Santa Clarita?
Yes, with conditions — see Santa Clarita's rules (Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Santa Clarita?
50 feet minimum. Poultry (excluding roosters) counts as 'other small animals': none on lots under 15,000 sq ft; 3 on 15,000-20,000; 4 on 20,001-25,000; 5 on 25,001-30,000; 6 on 30,001-35,000; 7 on 35,001 sq ft to 1 acre; 8 per acre above 1 acre. Roosters only on lots over 1 acre at one per acre. Animal structures at least 50 feet from any street or any building used for human habitation, fenced, kept clean, noise attenuated.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Santa Clarita?
Yes — 15,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Santa Clarita?
Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Santa Clarita Municipal Code Sec. 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals) — read the official code
“Maximum of 3-4 hens permitted on residential properties 15,000 square feet or larger” source
“17.62.030 Keeping of Small Animals. ... Minimum Lot Square Footage / Other Small Animals: Up to 15,000: 0; 15,000-20,000: 3; 20,001-25,000: 4; 25,001-30,000: 5; 30,001-35,000: 6; 35,001-1 acre: 7; Greater than 1 acre: 8 per acre. Notes: 2 Goats, sheep, miniature horses, potbellied pigs, poultry (excluding roosters) and other similar animals. Roosters shall be permitted on lots or parcels of land greater than one (1) acre in area, at a ratio of one (1) rooster per acre.” source
“3. In addition to Los Angeles County Health Department requirements, all buildings or structures, including, but not limited to, barns, corrals, training arenas, etc., used in conjunction with the keeping of small animals shall be located a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any street or highway or any building used for human habitation.” 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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