Backyard Chickens in Berkeley, California

Can you keep chickens in Berkeley?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Berkeley? The city's animal-keeping code makes it straightforward: chickens are allowed with no cap on flock size, as long as the coop stays 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling and is kept clean and sanitary. No permit, no fee — just good coop design and considerate neighbors.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, keeping backyard chickens is legal in Berkeley. Under Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) § 10.12.040, it is unlawful to keep chickens, ducks, pigeons, geese, turkeys or other domestic fowl (as well as rabbits or guinea pigs) unless they are kept in an enclosure no part of which is within 25 feet of any dwelling house occupied by human beings (other than the keeper's own home). The chapter sets no numeric cap on the number of birds — the only quantitative restriction is the 25-foot setback. Roosters are not separately addressed or prohibited by this chapter, so they fall under the same general fowl-keeping rule, though loud crowing can still be pursued as a noise nuisance by neighbors or the city.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: Yes
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Berkeley

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per BMC § 10.12.040 (Rabbits, domestic fowl, etc.—Enclosure requirements), any coop or enclosure housing chickens or other domestic fowl may not have any part located within 25 feet of a dwelling house occupied by humans (excluding the keeper's own residence). Per BMC § 10.12.060 (Sanitary maintenance of coops or enclosures required), all coops and enclosures 'must be maintained in a sanitary manner, and be regularly cleaned, in order to prevent any accumulation of manure or offal.' BMC § 10.12.050 additionally prohibits dyeing or coloring rabbits, fowl, or other animals covered by this chapter. No city permit or license is required to keep a backyard flock. Note that Title 23 (Zoning) may impose additional accessory-use rules depending on your specific zoning district, and persistent rooster crowing can still be addressed under the city's general noise/nuisance provisions even though roosters are not separately restricted in Chapter 10.12.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Berkeley

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean / Coastal Northern California — USDA Hardiness Zone 9b–10a (Sunset Zone ~17)

Berkeley sits in a coastal marine-influenced microclimate with cool, foggy summers and mild, wet winters. Flatland neighborhoods near the Bay stay cool under the summer marine layer, while areas in the Berkeley Hills a few miles inland can be noticeably warmer and sunnier. Frost is rare and generally light, and the dry season runs roughly May through October, meaning coop ventilation and rain protection matter more than heat management for most of the year.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkOpossumSkunkFox

Local Berkeley chicken keepers consistently identify raccoons as the top threat, especially at night if a coop door is left unlatched, and hawks and opossums are also commonly cited local predators. Dogs, cars, and occasional urban foxes and skunks round out the main threats in the East Bay flatlands. A secure, raccoon-proof coop with a working, nightly-closed door is considered essential by Berkeley keepers.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Buff Orpington, Ameraucana/Easter Egger

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

Questions people ask about Berkeley

▸How many chickens can I keep in Berkeley?

Berkeley's municipal code (§ 10.12.040) does not set a maximum number of chickens — it only requires that the enclosure be at least 25 feet from any dwelling occupied by humans other than your own.

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

No. Berkeley's animal-keeping chapter does not require a permit or license for keeping backyard chickens; you simply must meet the enclosure setback and sanitation requirements.

▸Are roosters allowed in Berkeley?

Berkeley's fowl-keeping ordinance does not specifically ban roosters, so they are treated the same as other domestic fowl under § 10.12.040. That said, persistent crowing can still draw noise-nuisance complaints from neighbors, so many keepers rehome roosters that turn out to be too loud.

▸How far does my coop need to be from my neighbor's house?

At least 25 feet from any dwelling house occupied by humans, other than the house of the person keeping the birds, per BMC § 10.12.040.

▸What predators should I worry about in Berkeley?

Local Berkeley chicken owners most often report raccoon attacks, especially when coop doors are accidentally left open overnight, along with hawks and opossums as other common threats.

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