Backyard Chickens in San Diego, California

Can you keep chickens in San Diego?

Thinking about raising backyard hens in America's Finest City? San Diego's warm, sunny climate and progressive urban farming rules—updated by the City Council in 2012—make it one of the friendliest big cities in California for keeping a small flock of laying hens. Just remember: roosters are a no-go, and your hen count depends on how far your coop sits from the neighbors.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are legal in the City of San Diego. Under the San Diego Municipal Code §42.0709(e), hens may be kept on any premises zoned for a single dwelling unit, a community garden, or a retail farm. Roosters, however, are strictly prohibited on these premises — "No rooster shall be permitted on the premises" (§42.0709(e)(1)). The number of hens allowed scales with how far the coop is set back from property lines and neighboring residences, ranging from 5 hens (standard setbacks) up to 25 hens (50-ft setback from any residential structure). The rule does not apply to single-dwelling units in agriculture base zones, which have separate provisions.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 25
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 5 ft.

Peggy knows San Diego

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under §42.0709(e)(2), the number of chickens permitted depends on coop placement:

Up to 5 chickens – coop located outside of all required zoning setbacks (typically 5 ft from side property lines and 13 ft from the rear property line for a standard single-family lot).
Up to 15 chickens – coop located outside required setbacks OR 15 feet from all property lines, whichever is greater.
Up to 25 chickens – coop and enclosure located a minimum of 50 feet from any structure used for residential purposes.

Per §42.0709(e)(3)-(4), every coop must be predator-proof, thoroughly ventilated, watertight, easily accessed/cleaned, and provide a minimum of 6 square feet of area per chicken. The coop must have direct access to a predator-proof, easily cleaned outdoor enclosure fenced to contain the chickens, with a minimum of 10 square feet of ground area per chicken. Separately, §42.0709(a) prohibits keeping any fowl within 50 feet of a residential building (except as permitted under the chicken-specific provisions), and droppings/food scraps must be disposed of at least weekly to prevent unsanitary conditions (§42.0709(c)). No health/keeping permit is required for residential backyard flocks, though setback compliance should be verified with the City's Development Services Department. This section does not apply to single-dwelling units located in agriculture base zones, which are separately exempted (§42.0709(e)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in San Diego

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean / Semi-Arid (USDA Zone 10a/10b)

San Diego enjoys a mild, dry Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool, mild winters, rarely dropping below 40°F or exceeding 85°F near the coast. This makes it one of the easiest U.S. climates for keeping backyard chickens year-round, with minimal need for supplemental heating or cooling. However, coops should still provide good ventilation and shade, since inland San Diego neighborhoods can see hotter, drier summer heat and occasional Santa Ana wind events.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSnake

Coyotes are a significant and well-documented threat to backyard flocks throughout San Diego's canyons and urban-adjacent neighborhoods, alongside raccoons, hawks, and opossums. Predator-proof coop construction using hardware cloth (not standard chicken wire), secure latches, and a fully enclosed, covered run are essential given the presence of daytime aerial predators like hawks and nighttime ground predators like raccoons and coyotes.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

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

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

Questions people ask about San Diego

▸How many chickens can I keep in San Diego?

It depends on your coop's setback distance. You can keep up to 5 hens with standard setbacks, up to 15 hens if the coop is 15 feet from all property lines, or up to 25 hens if the coop and enclosure are at least 50 feet from any residential structure (§42.0709(e)(2)).

▸Are roosters allowed in San Diego?

No. San Diego Municipal Code §42.0709(e)(1) states that no rooster shall be permitted on premises zoned for a single dwelling unit, community garden, or retail farm.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in San Diego?

No specific city permit is required to keep a small backyard flock, as long as you comply with the hen limits, setback rules, and coop requirements in §42.0709. It's still wise to confirm your property's zoning and exact setback distances with the Development Services Department.

▸What are the coop requirements?

Coops must be predator-proof, thoroughly ventilated, watertight, easily cleaned, and provide at least 6 square feet per chicken, with direct access to a fenced, predator-proof outdoor enclosure offering at least 10 square feet per chicken (§42.0709(e)(3)-(4)).

▸How close to my property line can my coop be?

For up to 5 hens, the coop must be outside all required zoning setbacks (commonly 5 ft from side lines and 13 ft from the rear line for typical single-family lots). Larger flocks require greater distances, up to 50 feet from any residential structure for 25 hens.

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