Backyard Chickens in Rancho Cucamonga, California

Can you keep chickens in Rancho Cucamonga?

Thinking about backyard hens in Rancho Cucamonga? The city allows non-crowing poultry as an accessory residential use, but exactly how many birds you can keep depends on your lot size, and roosters are essentially off the table unless you're on a very large VL-zoned parcel. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found in the city's official Development Code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes — keeping backyard hens is allowed in Rancho Cucamonga as an accessory residential use, but the number you may keep depends on your lot size and specific numeric caps apply. Under the city's Development Code, Chapter 17.88 (Animal Regulations), poultry is classified as an "Animal keeping" use, and "poultry" is defined to include chickens; "poultry, crowing" (which includes roosters) is separately restricted for noise reasons (§ 17.32.020.B.2.e).

The maximum number of animals allowed is set out in Table 17.88.020-1 (Number of Animals Permitted by Zone). "Poultry (non-crowing)" — i.e., hens — are permitted in all residential and form-based zones, but the cap is tied to lot size: no non-crowing poultry are permitted on lots under 7,200 square feet; up to 4 on lots 7,200–9,999 sq ft; up to 5 on lots 10,000–19,999 sq ft; and up to 25 on lots 20,000 sq ft or larger (§ 17.88.020.A, Table 17.88.020-1).

Roosters and other "crowing poultry" are far more restricted: they are only allowed in the Very Low (VL) density residential zone on lots of at least one acre (maximum 2 birds), or in the ME1 zone on lots of at least ten acres (maximum 6 birds), and even then must comply with the city's noise standards (§ 17.66.050) (Table 17.88.020-1, Notes 3–4). On typical suburban residential lots, roosters are effectively not permitted.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 25
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 10 ft.

Peggy knows Rancho Cucamonga

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Lot-size tiered hen limits (§ 17.88.020, Table 17.88.020-1):

Under 7,200 sq ft lot: no non-crowing poultry permitted
7,200–9,999 sq ft: up to 4 hens
10,000–19,999 sq ft: up to 5 hens
20,000+ sq ft: up to 25 hens

Roosters/crowing poultry: only allowed in the VL zone (1-acre minimum lot, max 2 birds) or ME1 zone (10-acre minimum lot, max 6 birds), subject to the city's noise standards.

Site/shelter standards for poultry ("small livestock" category, § 17.88.020.C.4):

Shelters/coops must be at least 10 feet from property lines abutting another residential lot and at least 20 feet from the nearest main dwelling
May be built up to the property line if it abuts a public or private alley
Minimum 10 sq ft of permeable outdoor run space per bird
Minimum 4 sq ft of indoor coop space per bird
Shelters must be covered, predator-resistant, properly ventilated, and easy to clean (§ 17.88.020.B.4)
Chickens ("winged animals") must have clipped wings or be kept in a fully covered enclosure at all times to prevent escape (§ 17.88.020.C.1)

Manure: must be removed at least monthly, stored in a dedicated enclosure set back at least 50 feet from any perimeter property line, and may not create detectable odor, pest, or nuisance conditions beyond the property line (§ 17.88.020.B.1).

Permits: the Animal Regulations chapter does not list a separate permit or fee for keeping non-crowing poultry within the table limits and site standards (unlike exotic animals, which explicitly require a Minor Use Permit). Always confirm your property's zoning designation and exact lot square footage with the city before adding birds, since the allowed number is zone- and lot-size specific.

Note: some older secondary sources reference a flat "70-foot from dwellings" rule and no numeric cap; that reflects a pre-2022 version of the code. The current 2022 Development Code (Ord. No. 1000, as amended) described above supersedes those older rules.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Rancho Cucamonga

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 9b/10a (Mediterranean/semi-arid, inland Southern California)

Rancho Cucamonga sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and experiences hot, dry summers (often 95–105°F) and mild, wet winters with occasional nights near or just below freezing. Flocks need shaded, well-ventilated coops with good airflow for summer heat, plenty of fresh water, and wind protection for the Santa Ana wind events common in fall.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Rancho Cucamonga backs up to foothill open space and flood-control channels, so coyotes, raccoons, and red-tailed or Cooper's hawks are regular visitors to residential yards, especially near the northern parts of the city. Skunks and opossums are common nighttime nuisance predators that target eggs and young chicks. Fully covered, predator-resistant runs (required under § 17.88.020.B.4 and § 17.88.020.C.1) are essential — hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, secure latches, and buried apron fencing are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Mediterranean/heat-tolerant breeds such as Leghorns, Andalusians, and Anconas; dual-purpose heat-hardy layers like Sussex, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps; and Araucana/Easter Eggers, which handle temperature swings well.

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

Questions people ask about Rancho Cucamonga

▸How many hens can I keep in Rancho Cucamonga?

It depends on your lot size: none on lots under 7,200 sq ft, up to 4 on lots 7,200–9,999 sq ft, up to 5 on lots 10,000–19,999 sq ft, and up to 25 on lots 20,000 sq ft or larger, per Table 17.88.020-1 of the Development Code.

▸Are roosters allowed in Rancho Cucamonga?

Generally no. Crowing poultry (including roosters) are only permitted in the VL zone on lots of at least one acre (max 2 birds) or the ME1 zone on lots of at least ten acres (max 6 birds), and must meet the city's noise standards.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens?

The Animal Regulations chapter does not set out a separate permit or fee for non-crowing poultry kept within the table's numeric limits and site standards; this differs from exotic animals, which do require a Minor Use Permit.

▸How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?

Coops/shelters for poultry must be at least 10 feet from property lines abutting another residential lot and at least 20 feet from the nearest main dwelling on the property.

▸Can my chickens free-range in the yard?

Chickens must have clipped wings or be kept in a fully covered enclosure at all times to ensure they stay confined to the property.

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