Crowing Fowl Zoning Code Amendment
Crowing Fowl Zoning Code Amendment
Project Summary
On June 9, 2026, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors introduced amendments to both the Sacramento County Code and Sacramento County Zoning Code related to the keeping of roosters and other crowing fowl. The Board waived full reading of the ordinances and continued the items to the hearing on June 16, 2026, for adoption.
Overview of the Proposed Amendments
The proposed 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 proposed amendments do not change the existing zoning districts where crowing fowl are permitted and do not increase the current minimum parcel size requirement of 10,000 square feet. Roosters would continue to be allowed on qualifying parcels within Agricultural (AG), Urban Reserve (UR), Interim Agricultural Reserve (IR), Recreation Reserve (RR), Agricultural-Residential (AR), and Residential (RD-1 through RD-7) zoning districts.
The primary change is the establishment of numerical limits on the incidental, non-commercial keeping of roosters based on parcel size and zoning district. The amendments also create a registration process through the Agricultural Commissioner that may allow additional roosters for recognized purposes when the property can accommodate a larger number of birds without creating health, safety, or nuisance concerns.
Additional proposed changes include:
- Removing the requirement for a Use Permit for educational programs such as FFA and 4-H projects.
- Expanding enforcement authority for County staff to address violations related to crowing fowl.
- Establishing animal care, enclosure, and maintenance standards within the County Code.
- Prohibiting tethering and incorporating references to state laws related to rooster mutilation.
Next Steps
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider adoption of the ordinances on June 16, 2026.
Board of Supervisors - June 9, 2026 at 10:00 A.M.
700 H Street, Suite 1450
Sacramento, CA 95814
Project Timeline
Project Stage | Estimated Timeframe |
|---|---|
Initiation | December 2024 |
Project Analysis | January - June 2025 |
Draft Zoning Code | July 2025 |
Public Outreach and Community Hearings | August - October 2025 |
Countywide Crowing Fowl Workshop | November 10, 2025 |
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting | December 10, 2025 at 6:30 P.M. |
Public Hearings for Adoption Planning Commission Hearing Board of Supervisors Hearing |
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. June 16, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. |
Post-Adoption Implementation | July 16, 2026 |
Past Meetings:
Board of Supervisors - June 9, 2026 at 10:00 A.M.
Planning Commission - February 9, 2026
- Planning Commission Agenda (February 9, 2026)
- Crowing Fowl Zoning Code Update FAQs
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting - December 10, 2025
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda (December 2025)
Countywide Crowing Fowl Workshop - November 10, 2025
- Workshop Presentation
- Proposed Zoning Code Amendment (Published November 2025)
- Revisions to Zoning Code Amendment (Published August 2025)
Carmichael CPAC Meeting Summary - September 10, 2025
Countywide Crowing Fowl Workshop (Planning Commission) - September 9, 2025
- Presentation to Planning Commission
- Draft Proposed Zoning Code Amendment (Published August 2025)
Cosumnes CPAC Meeting Summary - August 27, 2025
North Highlands CPAC Meeting Summary - August 26, 2025
Agricultural Education Stakeholder Meeting - March 4, 2025
Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) - December 11, 2024
FAQ
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?
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