Backyard Chickens in Sacramento, California

Can you keep chickens in Sacramento?

Thinking about raising hens in Sacramento? The city allows a small backyard flock, but only within a fairly strict permit and licensing system. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found after reading the actual Sacramento City Code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard hens are allowed in the City of Sacramento, but the keeping of chickens is tightly regulated under Sacramento City Code §9.44.860. The code states it is unlawful to keep chickens on any parcel in the city except in accordance with specific restrictions, and further limits a residential lot to a maximum of three hen chickens, and only if authorized under a permit issued pursuant to this article. Roosters are banned outright — the code states roosters are not permitted on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes. The ordinance (Ord. 2011-039) was approved by the Sacramento City Council in 2011, allowing residents to keep up to three chickens with no roosters permitted.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 3
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $30
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Sacramento

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Enclosure required at all times: Hen chickens must be confined in a pen, coop, cage, or other enclosure at all times (§9.44.860.A.2).
20-foot setback: All hen chickens must be kept within an enclosure at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel (§9.44.860.A.3).
Rear yard only: Enclosures must be situated in the rear yard, and no hen chickens may be kept in the front yard of a residential lot (§9.44.860.A.3-4).
No obstruction of exits: Enclosures may not obstruct or partially obstruct any required exits from a dwelling unit.
No slaughtering: Slaughtering hen chickens on a residential lot is prohibited (§9.44.860.A.6).
No roosters: Roosters are not permitted on any residential parcel (§9.44.860.B).
Licensing/permit fees: The Front Street Animal Shelter issues an annual $15 per-chicken license (a numbered leg band is issued for each bird) plus a separate annual $30 chicken coop permit; up to 3 chickens may be licensed per residential parcel.
Coop construction: The coop must have four walls and a roof of suitable material, include nesting boxes, and provide adequate food, water, and ventilation.
Noise/nuisance: Chickens may not be a noise disturbance to neighbors.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Sacramento

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean (Csa) - Hot-summer Mediterranean climate, USDA Hardiness Zone 9b

Sacramento has hot, dry summers often exceeding 95-100°F and mild, wet winters. Coops need excellent ventilation, shade, and access to cool water in summer, while winter housing needs are minimal beyond draft protection during occasional cold snaps and rain.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Sacramento's urban and suburban neighborhoods, especially those near the American River Parkway and greenbelt areas, have active populations of raccoons, opossums, skunks, and red-tailed hawks. Coyotes and foxes are also regularly reported in outlying residential areas, making secure, fully-enclosed coops with hardware cloth essential.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Leghorns, Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, and other heat-tolerant breeds do well in Sacramento's hot summers.

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

Questions people ask about Sacramento

▸How many chickens can I legally keep in Sacramento?

Sacramento City Code §9.44.860 allows a maximum of three hen chickens on a developed residential lot, and only with a permit.

▸Are roosters allowed in the City of Sacramento?

No. The city code explicitly states that roosters are not permitted on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes.

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

Yes. The Front Street Animal Shelter requires an annual $15 per-chicken license (with a leg band issued per bird) plus a separate $30 annual chicken coop permit.

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

Coops must be located at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel, and must be placed in the rear yard only, never the front yard.

▸Can I slaughter chickens at my home in Sacramento?

No. The ordinance prohibits slaughtering hen chickens on any developed residential lot.

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