Backyard Chickens in Chico, California

Can you keep chickens in Chico?

Thinking about raising hens in Chico, California? The Chico Municipal Code allows backyard poultry city-wide without a permit, but roosters are off the table in the city's main residential zones, and coop placement must respect a 20-foot buffer from neighboring homes. Here's exactly what Chico's ordinance requires before you build that coop.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are allowed in Chico. Under the Chico Municipal Code, poultry (a "small animal") may be kept as an accessory use on residential property (§ 19.76.040). There is no fixed numeric cap on hens — instead, the number you may keep is governed by a site-area formula in Table 5-10 of the code. However, roosters are prohibited in the RS, R1, and TND zoning districts, which cover most residential neighborhoods in the city.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Chico

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per Chico Municipal Code § 19.76.040 and Table 5-10:

Poultry/small animals must not be kept within 20 feet of any occupied residence on an adjacent parcel.
Poultry may be kept within 10 feet of the owner's own occupied residence.
Space required is 100 sq. ft. per bird if the enclosure is NOT within 20 feet of a neighboring occupied residence, or 10 sq. ft. per bird if the enclosure IS within 10 feet of the owner's own residence.
Roosters are banned in the RS, R1, and TND zoning districts.
Animal feed must be stored in sealed containers in a dry, secure location to prevent pests and vermin.
Keeping must not create offensive dust, noise, or odor, or become a nuisance to neighboring properties.
No permit is required to keep hens within city limits.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Chico

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 9a/9b

Chico sits in California's Sacramento Valley and has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate — long, very hot, dry summers (frequently 95–105°F+) and cool, wet, mild winters. Chicken keepers need to prioritize summer heat management (shade, ventilation, extra water) more than winter cold protection.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumCoyoteSkunk

Chico-area chicken keepers commonly report predator pressure from raccoons and opossums, along with hawks patrolling the open Sacramento Valley skies. Foxes, coyotes, and skunks are also present in and around the city's greenbelt and creek corridors, so secure, predator-proof coops and covered runs are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Australorp, Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Easter Egger/Araucana, Plymouth Rock, Orpington (choose heat-tolerant breeds given Chico's hot Central Valley summers)

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

Questions people ask about Chico

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

No. Chico's ordinance does not require a permit to keep hens as an accessory residential use, though your coop must still meet the site-area and setback standards in § 19.76.040.

▸How many hens can I keep in Chico?

There's no flat numeric cap. Instead, the number of birds allowed depends on available site area: 100 sq. ft. per bird if the enclosure is more than 20 feet from a neighbor's occupied residence, or 10 sq. ft. per bird if it's within 10 feet of your own home (Table 5-10).

▸Can I keep a rooster in Chico?

No. Roosters are explicitly prohibited in the RS, R1, and TND zoning districts under § 19.76.040, which covers the vast majority of Chico's residential neighborhoods.

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

Small animals, including poultry, cannot be kept within 20 feet of any occupied residence on an adjacent parcel. You may keep them as close as 10 feet from your own home, subject to a smaller per-bird space requirement.

▸What predators should I watch for in Chico?

Local flock owners report issues with raccoons, opossums, and hawks in particular, with foxes, coyotes, and skunks also present near creeks and greenbelt areas — a secure, covered coop and run are essential.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Chico or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 8, 2026.