Backyard Chickens in Antioch, California

Can you keep chickens in Antioch?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Antioch? The good news is that chickens are welcome in this Contra Costa County city — you can keep up to ten hens without any permit at all. Just keep enclosures 20 feet from dwellings, and if you want a rooster or a bigger flock, you'll need to get a permit and get your neighbors on board first.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, keeping chickens is legal in Antioch, California. Under the Antioch Municipal Code, § 6-1.602(C), residents may keep up to ten total fowl (which includes chickens, ducks, geese, or other fowl combined) without a permit. If you want to keep more than ten fowl, or if you want to keep a rooster, you must first obtain a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor under § 6-1.601.

Permit applications for a rooster or extra fowl require an inspection of the property and an opportunity for neighbors to comment before approval (§ 6-1.601, § 6-1.303 procedures incorporated by reference).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 10
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Antioch

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per Antioch Municipal Code § 6-1.602(C):

Up to 10 total fowl (chickens, ducks, geese, or other domestic fowl, combined) may be kept on a residential property without a permit.
Keeping more than 10 fowl, or keeping any rooster, requires a permit issued by the Animal Control Supervisor (§ 6-1.601), which involves a property inspection and a neighbor-notification/comment period modeled on the multiple-pet permit process (§ 6-1.303).
Fowl enclosures must be located a minimum of 20 feet from any dwelling, church, or school (permission may be granted for placement on school premises), and enclosures must be kept clean.
Fowl may not be allowed to run "at large" or off the owner's property at any time.
The Animal Control Supervisor must determine that keeping the birds is not likely to cause harm to the animal, create a public nuisance/health hazard, or cause unreasonable disturbance from odor, noise, or behavior before approving any required permit (§ 6-1.601).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Antioch

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 9b

Antioch sits in the East Bay/Delta region of Contra Costa County and falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, with winter lows generally between 20°F and 25°F. Summers are hot and dry, often exceeding 90–100°F, while winters are mild and wet. Coop ventilation and shade are important for summer heat, while minimal cold-weather protection is typically needed.

🦝 Who's after your hens

HawkRaccoonCoyoteFoxOpossum

Antioch's mix of suburban neighborhoods and nearby open space/waterfront areas along the San Joaquin Delta means backyard flocks can attract hawks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and opossums. Residents on Nextdoor have specifically noted hawk losses in the area, underscoring the value of covered runs.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Leghorn, Orpington

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Antioch

▸How many chickens can I keep in Antioch without a permit?

You can keep up to ten total fowl (chickens, ducks, geese, or other domestic fowl combined) without a permit, per Antioch Municipal Code § 6-1.602(C).

▸Are roosters allowed in Antioch?

Roosters are allowed only with a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor. Keeping a rooster without a permit is unlawful under § 6-1.602(C)(1).

▸How far must my chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?

Fowl enclosures must be located at least 20 feet from any dwelling, church, or school, per § 6-1.602(C)(2).

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Antioch?

No permit is needed if you keep ten or fewer fowl and no rooster. A permit is required only if you want more than ten fowl or want to keep a rooster (§ 6-1.602(C)(1), § 6-1.601).

▸Can my chickens free-range outside my yard?

No. According to the City of Antioch's own guidance, chickens, ducks, and roosters are not allowed to be "at large" at any time, nor to be off their owner's property.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Antioch or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 6, 2026.