Crowing Fowl Zoning Code Amendment

Project Summary

On June 16, 2026, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to the Sacramento County Zoning Code and Sacramento County Code related to the keeping of roosters. The amendments became effective on July 16, 2026.

Overview of the Amendments

The ordinance package is intended to support humane animal care, address community concerns related to noise and nuisance conditions, deter illegal activities involving roosters, and provide clearer standards for keeping crowing fowl within Sacramento County.

The ordinance updates existing regulations governing the incidental keeping of animals by establishing numerical limits on roosters based on parcel size and zoning district, creating a no-cost registration process for eligible properties to exceed rooster limitations, clarifying development and operational standards, and strengthening enforcement procedures. The ordinance also adds animal welfare standards to the Sacramento County Code, including requirements related to animal care, enclosure conditions, tethering, and humane treatment.

The adopted amendments are intended to address ongoing concerns related to noise, sanitation, animal welfare, neighborhood compatibility, and suspected illegal activities while continuing to allow the incidental keeping of roosters on qualifying properties.

The updated Zoning Code can be found in the Land Use Regulation Library.

Zoning Code Amendments

The Sacramento County Zoning Code was amended to:

Clarify that Section 3.9.3.G applies to the incidental keeping of animals as an accessory use to a primary residential use (SZC Section 3.9.3.G).
Establish numerical limits on roosters based on parcel size and zoning district (SZC Section 3.9.3.G and Table 5.6).
Retain the existing minimum parcel size requirement of 10,000 square feet for the keeping of crowing fowl (SZC Section 3.9.3.G).
Create a no-cost registration process administered by the Agricultural Commissioner for eligible properties seeking to exceed the standard rooster limits (SZC Section 3.9.3.G.7).
Remove the Minor Use Permit requirement for educational agricultural programs involving crowing fowl (SZC Section 3.9.3.G).
Clarify that existing County noise regulations apply to rooster keeping in residential zoning districts (SZC Section 3.9.3.G and Table 5.10.B).
Clarify setback and development standards applicable to structures associated with rooster keeping (SZC Chapter 5, Table 5.10.B).
Expand enforcement authority and establish complaint-driven compliance procedures, including a 30-day compliance period following written notification from the County (SZC Sections 3.9.3.G).

County Code Amendments

The Sacramento County Code was amended to:

Add definitions for "Enclosure," "Restricts Normal Movement," "Rooster," and "Tethering" (SCC Sections 8.04.142, 8.04.236, 8.04.237, and 8.04.238).
Establish minimum standards for the care and keeping of roosters, including requirements for food, water, sanitation, and maintenance of premises (SCC Chapter 8.22).
Prohibit the tethering of roosters (SCC Section 8.22.040).
Establish minimum enclosure standards intended to ensure humane housing conditions (SCC Section 8.22.050).
Incorporate references to California law prohibiting rooster mutilation (SCC Section 8.22.060).
Establish enforcement provisions and penalties, including civil, criminal, and nuisance abatement remedies (SCC Section 8.22.070).