Backyard chickens in Menifee, California

Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Menifee. The City's Development Code (Article 5, Chapter 9.235 – Animal Keeping) allows hens as an accessory use on residential property, subject to the standards in Table 9.235.030-1 (Animal Keeping Standards) and the specific requirements of Section 9.235.040 (Fowl).

Under Section 9.235.040, fowl may only be kept where the lot is zoned for the keeping or raising of fowl as a permitted use and subject to the restrictions of the zone, and the fowl shall be kept in an enclosed area located not less than 20 feet from any property line and not less than 50 feet from any residence (§ 9.235.040). The Code also states that animals may be kept on any residentially zoned property in the maximum numbers identified in this chapter, provided the keeping of said animals does not constitute a nuisance, and that it shall be unlawful to keep a number of animals exceeding the numbers set out in this chapter, except as may be otherwise allowed by the approval authority (§ 9.235.030). A secondary chicken-law reference citing the City's code (cityofmenifee.us) lists the standard residential allowance as up to 5 hens, with roosters not permitted under the standard small-lot allowance.

Roosters ('Crowing Fowl') are addressed separately: the Code requires that animals must be kept and maintained in an enclosed area, located not less than 20 feet from any property line and at least 50 feet from any residence, that lots must be a minimum of 100 feet in width, and that animals must be kept in the rear yard for crowing fowl (§ 9.235.030, Table 9.235.030-1). Because these heightened lot-width and setback standards exist specifically for crowing fowl, roosters are conditionally allowed on qualifying (wider) residential lots rather than outright banned.

On lots under 20,000 square feet, the Code further provides that no animals or fowl, other than domestic pets, poultry and rabbits for the exclusive use of the occupant, shall be permitted on lots of less than 20,000 square feet (§ 9.235.030), meaning small residential lots are generally limited to the base household poultry allowance rather than larger flocks.

Menifee sits in the Inland Empire/Southwest Riverside County valley area, with hot, dry summers (frequently 95–105°F) and mild, wetter winters (rarely below freezing). Chicken keepers should prioritize shade, ventilation, and cool water access in summer, and predator-proofing year-round since the mild climate supports active wildlife populations.

Menifee borders open scrubland and rural/agricultural areas typical of inland Riverside County, so coyotes, foxes, hawks, raccoons, and bobcats are all active locally, with snakes and opossums also common opportunistic threats to eggs and chicks. Secure, roofed runs with buried hardware cloth are strongly recommended given the Development Code's rear-yard and setback requirements, which place coops near property lines adjacent to open or semi-rural terrain in many parts of the city.