Backyard Chickens in Costa Mesa, California

Can you keep chickens in Costa Mesa?

Thinking about keeping hens in Costa Mesa? Under the city's Municipal Code, chickens are classified as "poultry"/livestock, so a backyard flock is legal only after securing a Special Animal Permit from the Police Chief — there's no simple by-right hen limit, but there is a real application process to follow.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, but only with a permit. Costa Mesa's Municipal Code defines "poultry" (which includes chickens) as a form of livestock, and livestock keeping is prohibited citywide unless the owner first obtains a Special Animal Permit from the Chief of Police (Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 3-13). The Code's general definitions section confirms that 'Livestock' includes "horses, ponies, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, sheep, rams, lambs, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers, cows, calves, mules, jacks, jennets, burros, goats, kids, swine, and poultry," and that 'Poultry' means "all domesticated fowl and all game birds which are held in captivity" — which covers backyard hens and roosters alike. Separately, the Code caps ordinary pet-keeping at five animals over four months old per premises without a permit (§ 3-14), but since poultry is classified as livestock, any number of chickens legally requires the Chapter VI Special Animal Permit process rather than falling under the simple five-animal household-pet rule.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

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

Peggy knows Costa Mesa

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

The Costa Mesa Municipal Code does not set a numeric hen cap or a specific coop setback distance for poultry in the Animal Regulations title; instead it requires a discretionary Special Animal Permit for keeping any livestock, including poultry (§ 3-13, Chapter VI, §§ 3-145 to 3-152).

An application must be submitted in writing to the Police Chief with an application fee "set by city council resolution" and must describe the housing arrangement, safety precautions, and "noises or odors anticipated in the keeping of such animals" — meaning noise from roosters can be a factor in whether a permit is granted (§ 3-146).
The Police Chief may approve the permit only if the animals "may be kept or maintained without menacing the safety of any person or property," and may attach conditions or limit the permit's term (§ 3-147).
Permits can be revoked, suspended, or appealed to the City Manager (§§ 3-148–3-151).
Enclosures used to confine any regulated animal must be secure, escape-proof, and child-proof, with self-closing/latching gates (§ 3-17).
Separately, keeping more than five animals over four months of age on one property (of any species) also requires a permit under the same Chapter VI process (§ 3-14).

Because the ordinance text itself does not list a current dollar fee (it directs readers to a city council fee resolution), applicants should contact Costa Mesa Animal Services directly to confirm the current application and annual permit fee amounts before applying.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Costa Mesa

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean coastal (USDA Hardiness Zone 10b)

Costa Mesa enjoys a mild, dry Mediterranean coastal climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters, and relatively small daily temperature swings due to marine influence from the nearby Pacific Ocean. Heat stress is rarely severe, but coastal humidity and occasional Santa Ana wind events should be considered when designing ventilation and predator-proofing for a coop.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Coyotes and raccoons are common in Orange County suburban and canyon-adjacent neighborhoods, and red-tailed hawks and other raptors frequently patrol open yards, so fully covered, hardware-cloth-secured runs are strongly recommended. Opossums and skunks are also frequent nighttime visitors that can raid coops if latches and ground gaps are not secured.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Leghorn, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Orpington, Easter Egger

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

Questions people ask about Costa Mesa

▸Can I keep chickens in Costa Mesa without a permit?

No. Because chickens are legally classified as "poultry" under the definition of livestock, Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 3-13 prohibits keeping any livestock, including chickens, unless a Special Animal Permit has been granted by the Police Chief.

▸Is there a maximum number of hens allowed in Costa Mesa?

The Municipal Code does not state a specific numeric cap on hens for permitted poultry-keeping; instead, the number and type of birds are reviewed case-by-case as part of the Special Animal Permit application, which asks applicants to describe all animals to be kept at the property (§ 3-146).

▸Are roosters allowed in Costa Mesa?

The Code doesn't separately ban roosters, but because permit applications must disclose "noises or odors anticipated in the keeping of such animals" and the Police Chief has discretion to deny or condition permits to protect neighbors, rooster approval is conditional and can be denied on noise grounds (§§ 3-146–3-147).

▸What does the Special Animal Permit application require?

Applicants must submit a written application with a fee set by city council resolution, plus details on the animals, housing/fencing safety, anticipated noise or odor, and any history of public health or safety incidents (§ 3-146).

▸Does Costa Mesa require setback distances for chicken coops?

The Animal Regulations title does not specify a fixed setback distance for poultry enclosures; it only requires that any fence or enclosure used to confine a regulated animal be secure, escape-proof, and prevent entry by children (§ 3-17). Setback specifics may instead be addressed through the discretionary permit conditions or the city's zoning code.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Costa Mesa or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 3, 2026.