Backyard Chickens in Glendale, California

Can you keep chickens in Glendale?

Thinking about keeping a few backyard hens in Glendale, California? The city allows hens as pets under its animal-control code, but keeps a tight rein on flock size and coop placement compared to some neighboring cities — with strict distance rules, a citywide rooster ban, and mandatory flyproof, sanitary enclosures. Here's what Glendale's actual municipal code says before you build that coop.

Yes – with conditions

Yes — Glendale, California allows residents to keep hens as pets/accessory animals, but the city's animal-control code (Title 6, Chapter 6.04) imposes real spacing and quantity limits that are stricter than many nearby cities. Under § 6.04.130(D), the city permits "all birds and fowl except roosters, guinea fowl, peafowl and the superorder paliognathae (ostrich types)," which means hens are allowed but roosters are flatly prohibited citywide, in every residential zone.

Distance rules are layered: § 6.04.030 states that no more than a combined total of two rabbits, chickens (other than roosters), ducks, or pigeons may be kept within 50 feet of any residence or dwelling house (including your own), or within 150 feet of a school or hospital, unless the animal is a cat, dog, canary, or psittacine bird. Separately, § 6.04.050 caps the total number of rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, or pheasants (in any combination) at 12 within 300 feet of a neighboring residence. In practice, this means a small flock (2 or fewer) can be close to any residence, while a larger flock (up to 12) must be kept at least 50 feet from residences to avoid the two-bird cap, and is hard-capped at 12 total once within 300 feet of a neighbor's home.

The code does not list a specific license or permit requirement for keeping ordinary backyard hens (permits under this chapter are described only for wildlife such as raccoons and certain monkeys, § 6.04.160), so no chicken-specific permit fee is indicated in the ordinance.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 12
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 50 ft.

Peggy knows Glendale

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Flyproof pens required: Under § 6.04.040, no person may keep a chicken (other than a rooster) or other fowl unless it is kept in a 'flyproof pen' — defined as a structure with a solid base/floor that prevents insects from entering or exiting and prevents waste from accumulating on bare ground.
Sanitary confinement: § 6.04.020 prohibits keeping any coop, pen, or enclosure in an unsanitary condition.
Manure management: Manure may not be left on the premises more than one day unless stored in a covered, flytight bin (metal, brick, stone, concrete, or wood) or buried and covered with earth (§ 6.04.060). Manure bins must be cleaned/disinfected at least every seven days (§ 6.04.070), and manure may not be stored within 100 feet of a church, school, hospital, or food-storage facility, or within 35 feet of any window or door of a dwelling (§ 6.04.080).
Spacing: No more than 2 chickens (combined with rabbits, ducks, or pigeons) may be kept within 50 feet of any residence/dwelling or within 150 feet of a school or hospital (§ 6.04.030). Larger flocks (up to the 12-bird combined cap) must be kept farther than 300 feet from a neighboring residence to avoid violating § 6.04.050.
Roosters and certain fowl banned outright: Roosters, guinea fowl, peafowl, and ostrich-type birds may not be kept anywhere in the city (§ 6.04.130(D)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Glendale

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean / semi-arid, USDA Hardiness Zone 10a–10b

Glendale sits in the San Fernando/Verdugo foothills area of Los Angeles County with hot, dry summers (often 90–100°F+ in the inland foothill neighborhoods) and mild, wet winters rarely dropping below freezing. Coops should prioritize shade, cross-ventilation, and ample fresh water in summer; insulation against cold is rarely needed, but wildfire-season smoke and heat waves are recurring seasonal concerns.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Glendale backs up to the Verdugo Mountains and San Rafael Hills, so coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and hawks are all regularly reported in residential neighborhoods there. Predator-proof, fully enclosed 'flyproof' coops (required by city code) with secure latches and hardware-cloth coverage are essential, especially for flocks near hillside or open-space-adjacent lots.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Easter Egger, Plymouth Rock

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

Questions people ask about Glendale

▸Can I keep roosters in Glendale, CA?

No. Glendale's municipal code specifically excludes roosters (along with guinea fowl, peafowl, and ostrich-type birds) from the list of birds and fowl residents are permitted to keep (§ 6.04.130(D)).

▸How many chickens can I have in my Glendale backyard?

The code doesn't set a simple flat number for a single household. Up to 2 chickens (combined with rabbits, ducks, or pigeons) may be kept within 50 feet of any residence. If you want more, the combined total of chickens and similar fowl is capped at 12 once you are within 300 feet of a neighboring residence (§ 6.04.050) — which covers most standard residential lots.

▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard hens in Glendale?

The animal-control chapter does not list a specific permit or fee for keeping ordinary backyard hens; permits under this chapter are described only for wildlife like raccoons and certain monkeys (§ 6.04.160).

▸What kind of coop do I need in Glendale?

Chickens (other than roosters) must be kept in a 'flyproof pen' — a structure with a solid floor that prevents insects from entering/escaping and prevents animal waste from accumulating on bare ground (§ 6.04.040).

▸How do I dispose of chicken manure legally in Glendale?

Manure can't sit out more than one day unless kept in a covered, flytight bin, and bins must be cleaned or disinfected at least every seven days; manure storage is also banned within 35 feet of a dwelling's windows or doors (§ 6.04.060, § 6.04.070, § 6.04.080).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Glendale or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 7, 2026.