Planning and Environmental Review

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​Project Summary

Planning and Environmental Review (PER) has initiated an effort to amend Chapters 3 and 7 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code pertaining to Incidental Keeping of Animals, specifically Roosters. The proposed Zoning Code amendments aim to address increasing concerns related to public health, safety, and land use compatibility. These changes are being proposed in coordination with updates to Sacramento County Code Title 8 by Animal Care Services, which are intended to further deter illegal activities involving roosters. The proposed County Code and Zoning Code amendments will not change any requirements for our commercial poultry farmers.

County staff have been actively coordinating with the County Agricultural Advisory Committee and various agricultural organizations and businesses to ensure their concerns regarding the impact of illegal operations on their businesses are addressed without adding any additional requirements for legitimate commercial operations, educational programs and related services.

Proposed Amendment

The primary changes include limiting the number of roosters allowed per property and increasing the minimum lot size for their keeping. These updates respond to a rise in complaints related to noise, sanitation, and neighborhood compatibility, as well as ongoing illegal activities such as cockfighting and the associated risks of disease transmission, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The intent of these changes is to mitigate the negative impacts of illegal activities and nuisance while preserving agricultural uses that are consistent with the character and goals of Sacramento County's diverse communities.

The amendments also eliminate the use permit requirement for agricultural education programs, recognizing the value to youth development and animal stewardship. New permitting requirements will apply to non-commercial rooster keeping. A Minor Use Permit will be required for hobbyists, while a Temporary Use Permit will be needed for residential zoning districts (RD-1 through RD-10). These processes are intended to provide flexibility for legitimate, small-scale activities while ensuring compatibility with surrounding uses. These standards are consistent with those in other jurisdictions, though Sacramento County's use of Temporary and Minor Use Permits offers added flexibility as compared to others. The updates also clarify dust, odor, and vector control requirements, reinforce that rooster keeping must be incidental to a primary residential use, and clarified the definition of “commercial" agricultural operations in Chapter 7.​

Project Timeline

Project Outreach

​​Upcoming Meetings:

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• North Highlands CPAC - August 26, 2025 7PM - 6040 Watt Ave, North Highlands, CA 95660
  
• Cosumnes CPAC - August 27, 2025 7PM - 9717 Colony Rd, Wilton, CA 95693
  
• ​Carmichael CPAC - September 10, 2025 - 5750 Grant Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608
  

Past Meetings:​

• Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) - December 11, 2024
• Workshop Memorandum​
• Presentation
  
• Agricultural Education Stakeholder Meeting - March 4, 2025
• Presentation
  

FAQ

These FAQs will be updated once we have completed the public outreach and community meetings which may also result in revisions to the Draft Ordinances.

What is a Crowing Fowl and why are roosters being regulated separately from Crowing Fowl?

Sacramento County Zoning Code Chapter 7 defines Crowing Fowl as: Any rooster, peacock, goose, quacking duck, or guinea fowl.

While all crowing fowl can create noise, the proposed Zoning Code Amendment is specifically focusing on roosters due to the volume of complaints and enforcement issues directly tied to them.

Through public outreach, community members consistently identified roosters as the most problematic species in terms of noise, nuisance, and their association with illegal activities such as cockfighting. As a result, the County is prioritizing targeted regulations that address roosters rather than broadly regulating all crowing fowl.

The proposed Zoning Code amendments are intended to address growing concerns related to public health, safety, and land use compatibility. These changes are being developed in coordination with updates to County Code Title 8 by Animal Care Services to further deter illegal activities involving roosters. It's important to note that these amendments will not affect commercial poultry operations, which remain subject to separate standards.

How can I contact the County or provide feedback about this Zoning Code Amendment?

If you have an inquiry or comment please contact the Project Manager:

Young Choi, Associate Planner
(916) 875-3118
choiy@saccounty.gov​​

How can I stay informed about this project?

You can sign up to receive email or mobile text updates regarding this project. ​Make sure to select "Development Code Updates In-Progress" on the subscription topics list.