Backyard Chickens in Santa Ana, California

Can you keep chickens in Santa Ana?

Thinking about raising hens in Santa Ana? The city allows up to four hens (no roosters) on residential property without a permit, with additional rules and a special permit process if you want to keep more. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found in the Santa Ana Municipal Code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Santa Ana's Municipal Code (Chapter 5, Animals) allows residents to keep backyard hens. Under Sec. 5-6, a resident may keep up to four (4) fowl and/or rabbits (in any combination) on a residential property without a special permit. Keeping more than four requires a special permit issued by the city's Planning and Development Services Department, and the enclosure must then be located at least 100 feet from any residence other than the owner's.

Roosters are prohibited on any residential premises in Santa Ana under Sec. 5-6.5, which states that no person shall keep a rooster on any premises used for residential purposes in the City.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Setback from property line: 30 ft.

Peggy knows Santa Ana

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Base allowance (no permit): Up to 4 fowl and/or rabbits (combined) may be kept on a residential lot without a permit (§ 5-6(a)).
Special permit for larger flocks: Keeping more than 4 fowl/rabbits requires a special permit approved by the city's Planning and Development Services Department; permits can be revoked on grounds sufficient to deny issuance, with appeal rights to the City Council (§ 5-6(a)).
Setback for larger flocks: Where more than 4 fowl/rabbits are kept, all buildings, pens, or runs must be located at least 100 feet from any residence other than the owner's (§ 5-6(b)(1)). Secondary sources report a commonly-applied ~30 ft setback for standard flocks of up to 4 birds.
Sanitation: Floors of housing must be smooth, tight, and maintained to prevent accumulation of filth or water (§ 5-6(b)(2)).
Space requirement: Where fowl/rabbits are given free run of a building, at least 2½ square feet per animal is required (§ 5-6(b)(3)).
Waste removal: Dead animals, manure, refuse, feathers and other waste must be removed within 48 hours or stored in fly-tight containers (§ 5-6(b)(4)).
Roosters: Strictly prohibited on any residential-use premises citywide (§ 5-6.5).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Santa Ana

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 10a/10b — Mediterranean/coastal Southern California climate

Santa Ana enjoys a mild, dry Mediterranean climate with warm summers (highs often in the 80s°F) and cool, mild winters rarely dropping near freezing. Chickens generally need more help staying cool via shade and ventilation than staying warm, and predator-proofing is more critical than winter insulation.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Urban and suburban Orange County neighborhoods, including Santa Ana, see regular raccoon, opossum, and skunk activity at night, along with red-tailed hawks and coyotes that have adapted well to city green spaces and flood-control channels. Secure, fully-enclosed (including hardware-cloth-covered top) runs are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Leghorn, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger — all handle warm, dry Southern California summers well and are reliable layers.

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

Questions people ask about Santa Ana

▸Can I keep a rooster in Santa Ana?

No. Santa Ana Municipal Code § 5-6.5 prohibits keeping roosters on any premises used for residential purposes anywhere in the city.

▸How many chickens can I keep in Santa Ana without a permit?

Up to four (4) fowl and/or rabbits combined may be kept without a special permit under § 5-6(a). Keeping more than four requires city approval.

▸Do I need a permit for a small backyard flock?

No permit is required for up to 4 hens. A special permit from the Planning and Development Services Department is required only if you want to keep more than 4 fowl/rabbits (§ 5-6(a)).

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

For flocks larger than 4 birds, the code requires enclosures to be at least 100 feet from any residence other than the owner's (§ 5-6(b)(1)). Standard small flocks are commonly kept with a roughly 30-foot buffer from neighboring structures per local practice.

▸What sanitation rules apply to my coop?

Coop floors must be smooth, tight, and kept free of filth or water accumulation, and manure/waste must be removed within 48 hours or stored in fly-tight containers (§ 5-6(b)(2), (4)).

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