Backyard Chickens in Gilroy, California

Can you keep chickens in Gilroy?

Thinking about raising hens in Gilroy? The self-proclaimed 'Garlic Capital of the World' allows backyard chickens in residential neighborhoods under its Small Animals Ordinance — just keep the flock to six animals total, skip the rooster once he grows up, and mind your setbacks.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Gilroy's Municipal Code generally prohibits keeping chickens, roosters, and other fowl on any premises not zoned for agricultural use (§ 4.20(a)), but the City created a specific carve-out — the "Small Animals Ordinance" (§ 4.23) — that allows residents in residential zones to keep chickens as long as they comply with its conditions.

Under § 4.23.2(a), any person may keep and maintain up to six (6) small animals, in any combination, on residential property. "Small animal" is defined in § 4.23.1 to include chickens, pigeons, turkeys, peafowl, waterfowl, and other Ratitae under 24 inches in mature height, plus rabbits — so the 6-animal cap is shared across all of these species, not six chickens exclusively.

Roosters are effectively banned: § 4.23.16 makes it "unlawful for any person to maintain a rooster over four (4) months of age", meaning a rooster can only legally be kept until it reaches maturity.

Coops/enclosures may not be placed in any side setback area (§ 4.23.14) and must be at least 20 feet from the nearest dwelling unit on an adjacent property (§ 4.23.15). Full commercial poultry ranches remain barred from non-agricultural land (§ 4.20(b)).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Gilroy

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Overall cap: Up to 6 small animals total (chickens, pigeons, turkeys, peafowl, waterfowl, small Ratitae, and/or rabbits combined) per residential premises (§ 4.23.2(a)).
Roosters: Prohibited once over 4 months of age (§ 4.23.16).
Side setback: No small animals may be kept within any side setback area defined by the Gilroy Zoning Ordinance (§ 4.23.14).
Rear/adjacent setback: Enclosures must be at least 20 feet from the nearest dwelling unit on an adjacent property, measured from the enclosure to the nearest part of that dwelling (§ 4.23.15).
Confinement/fencing: Premises must be fenced to prevent animals from running at large on public streets, other private property, or common areas of planned developments/condominiums (§ 4.23.3(a)).
Sanitation: Enclosures must be cleaned regularly, have smooth/tight (or maintained wire) flooring, and be free of odor, debris, manure, or vermin (§ 4.23.4).
Shelter: Must provide shade, weatherproofing, adequate lighting, and dry bedding, and be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down normally (§ 4.23.5).
Water & food: Clean potable water and wholesome food must be available at all times, stored in vermin-proof containers (§§ 4.23.6, 4.23.7, 4.23.12).
Agricultural zones: Properties actually zoned for agricultural use are not subject to the 6-animal cap or these specific small-animal rules — § 4.20 restrictions only apply to premises not zoned for agricultural use.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Gilroy

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean (Csa) – Sunset Zone 8/9, USDA Hardiness Zone 9b

Gilroy sits in the warm, dry southern Santa Clara Valley. Summers are hot (often 90°F+) with very low humidity, while winters are mild and wet. Chicken keepers should prioritize shade, ventilation, and cool drinking water in summer, and good drainage in coops during the winter rainy season.

🦝 Who's after your hens

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Gilroy's proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills and rural farmland means backyard flocks face raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and hawks in addition to more urban nuisance predators like opossums and skunks. Secure, fully-enclosed coops with hardware cloth (not chicken wire) and locking doors are strongly recommended, especially given the 20-foot dwelling setback that already places coops toward yard edges near fence lines and open space.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Leghorn, Orpington, Easter Egger — all handle Gilroy's hot, dry summers well while remaining reasonably cold-hardy for mild winters.

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

Questions people ask about Gilroy

▸How many chickens can I keep in Gilroy?

Up to six small animals in any combination — this includes chickens along with pigeons, turkeys, peafowl, waterfowl, small Ratitae, and rabbits — per residential property (§ 4.23.2(a)).

▸Are roosters allowed in Gilroy?

No. Gilroy prohibits maintaining a rooster over four months of age (§ 4.23.16), so roosters can only be kept until they mature.

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

The Small Animals Ordinance (§ 4.23) does not require a permit for keeping up to six small animals on residential property; it only sets conditions like setbacks, sanitation, and animal care standards.

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

At least 20 feet from the nearest dwelling unit on the adjacent property, measured from the enclosure to the nearest part of that dwelling (§ 4.23.15). Coops also cannot be placed within any side setback area defined by the city's Zoning Ordinance (§ 4.23.14).

▸Are there different rules if my property is zoned agricultural?

Yes. The six-animal cap and related small-animal rules in § 4.23 apply to premises not zoned for agricultural use. Section 4.20's baseline restrictions on keeping chickens/fowl only apply to non-agricultural zoned premises, so agricultural-zoned properties are not bound by the same six-animal limit.

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