Backyard Chickens in Santa Cruz, California

Can you keep chickens in Santa Cruz?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in Santa Cruz? The city's municipal code treats hens as everyday "domestic animals" alongside dogs and cats, meaning most homeowners can keep a small flock without a permit — as long as roosters stay off the property and coops are set back from neighboring homes. Here's exactly what Santa Cruz's ordinance requires.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of Santa Cruz permits hens as "domestic animals" under its Zoning Ordinance. Santa Cruz Municipal Code §24.22.050 defines "Animal, Domestic" as "[s]mall animals of the type generally accepted as pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons, hens, and the like; but not including roosters, quacking ducks, geese, pea fowl, goats, sheep, hogs, or the like." Under §24.12.620, any lot in an R-District (or residential use in another district) may keep a total of not more than six domestic animals — a category that includes hens along with dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigeons — with no more than three of the six being dogs. Because roosters are expressly excluded from the "domestic animal" definition, they are not permitted under this residential allowance. Owners of larger lots (at least 20,000 square feet) may instead qualify to keep poultry under the separate "Family Farm Animals" provision (§24.12.630), which allows up to ten small farm animals (a category that includes poultry) plus two large farm animals, subject to additional setback and, in some cases, use-permit requirements.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Santa Cruz

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under SCMC §24.12.620 (Domestic Animals), hens share a single combined cap with all other "domestic animals" (dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons, hens): a maximum of six total domestic animals per lot, of which no more than three may be dogs and no more than one an unspayed female dog. This means the number of hens you can actually keep depends on how many other domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats) are also kept on the property.

Animals (other than cats) must be confined at all times within a suitable enclosure (coop or yard) and may never run at large.
The enclosure must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from offensive odors or other nuisances.
No part of the enclosure may be located less than 25 feet from any dwelling other than the owner's, or from a place of business (§24.12.620).

For larger properties, SCMC §24.12.630 (Family Farm Animals) offers an alternative path: on any lot of at least 20,000 square feet in an R-District (or residential use in another district), up to 10 small family farm animals (which includes poultry) and 2 large family farm animals may be kept. These animals must be for family use only (not for sale, except approved young-farmer projects), confined in a clean, sanitary enclosure at least 40 feet from a neighbor's dwelling and 20 feet from the owner's property line. An administrative use permit is required under this section if 7 or more small farm animals (including poultry) are to be kept.

Roosters are excluded from the "domestic animal" definition entirely (§24.22.050) and are therefore not permitted under the standard residential allowance.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Santa Cruz

🌡️ Climate

Mediterranean / Cool-Summer Mediterranean (Köppen Csb), USDA Hardiness Zone 9b-10a

Santa Cruz enjoys a mild, coastal Mediterranean climate with cool, foggy summers and mild, wet winters. Temperature swings are moderate year-round, so chickens rarely face extreme heat or hard freezes, but persistent coastal fog and dampness call for good coop ventilation and dry bedding to prevent respiratory issues and mold.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Santa Cruz's mix of urban canyons, greenbelts, and nearby wildlands means backyard flocks can encounter raccoons, opossums, and skunks scavenging at night, as well as red-tailed hawks and other raptors during the day. Coyotes and gray foxes are also present in and around the city's parks and open-space corridors. Secure, fully enclosed runs with hardware cloth (not chicken wire), buried skirting to stop digging predators, and an automatic coop door are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Orpington, Sussex, Wyandotte, Ameraucana

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

Questions people ask about Santa Cruz

▸Do I need a permit to keep hens in the City of Santa Cruz?

No permit is required to keep up to six domestic animals (including hens) on a standard residential lot under SCMC §24.12.620. A permit may be required only if you keep poultry under the separate Family Farm Animals provision on a lot of at least 20,000 square feet with seven or more small farm animals.

▸Can I keep a rooster in Santa Cruz?

No. The Municipal Code's definition of "domestic animal" (SCMC §24.22.050) specifically excludes roosters, so they are not covered by the residential hen allowance within city limits.

▸How many hens can I keep on my property?

Hens share a combined cap of six total domestic animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons, and hens) per lot under SCMC §24.12.620. If you also keep dogs or cats, they count against this same six-animal limit. Larger lots (20,000+ sq ft) may qualify for a higher poultry allowance under the Family Farm Animals rule (SCMC §24.12.630).

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

Under SCMC §24.12.620, no part of the animal enclosure may be located less than 25 feet from any dwelling other than the owner's own home, or from a place of business.

▸Does the county have different rules than the City of Santa Cruz?

Yes. Unincorporated Santa Cruz County and nearby cities like Watsonville, Capitola, and Scotts Valley each have their own separate animal ordinances with different limits, so rules can vary significantly just outside city limits.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Santa Cruz or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 7, 2026.