- Apr 3, 2014
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Hi, first post here. Stumbled on this site researching the legal status of backyard chickens in Castro Valley, California (part of incorporated Alameda County) and, after looking into it closely, realized the BYC database entry for Alameda County contains incorrect information.
Alameda County's ordinance classifies all poultry (including chickens) as "livestock"(Chapter 5.04.010), and it states that "[n]o person shall ... keep any livestock as accessory to any dwelling unit located in any R zoning district as designated on the county zoning map (on file with the board of supervisors) except in accordance with the provisions of a valid animal fanciers permit issued by the director of field services." (Chapter 5.12.010.) In other words, if you live in a residential zone, you need a county animal fancier's permit to keep any chickens. In fact, everyone outside an agricultural zone (the "A" zoning district) needs this permit. (Chapter 5.12.090.)
The ordinance does not specify any fixed upper limit on the number of chickens that may be kept with a permit. The county will issue a permit after an inspection if satisfied that the chickens would have adequate space and not be a nuisance. (See Chapter 5.12.020.)
BYC's database entry refers to a portion of the County Code which governs "exotic animals" (Chapter 5.28). In Alameda County, chickens are not defined as "exotic animals," although some other birds are -- for example, hawks, eagles, vultures, ostriches, rheas, cassowaries and emus. While there is an "animal and poultry husbandry" exemption from the permit requirement, this exemption applies only to exotic animals kept within agricultural zones. (See Chapter 5.28.100.) Perhaps the planning commissioner who confirmed this exemption on the phone misunderstood the question...?
Can the database be updated?
Alameda County's ordinance classifies all poultry (including chickens) as "livestock"(Chapter 5.04.010), and it states that "[n]o person shall ... keep any livestock as accessory to any dwelling unit located in any R zoning district as designated on the county zoning map (on file with the board of supervisors) except in accordance with the provisions of a valid animal fanciers permit issued by the director of field services." (Chapter 5.12.010.) In other words, if you live in a residential zone, you need a county animal fancier's permit to keep any chickens. In fact, everyone outside an agricultural zone (the "A" zoning district) needs this permit. (Chapter 5.12.090.)
The ordinance does not specify any fixed upper limit on the number of chickens that may be kept with a permit. The county will issue a permit after an inspection if satisfied that the chickens would have adequate space and not be a nuisance. (See Chapter 5.12.020.)
BYC's database entry refers to a portion of the County Code which governs "exotic animals" (Chapter 5.28). In Alameda County, chickens are not defined as "exotic animals," although some other birds are -- for example, hawks, eagles, vultures, ostriches, rheas, cassowaries and emus. While there is an "animal and poultry husbandry" exemption from the permit requirement, this exemption applies only to exotic animals kept within agricultural zones. (See Chapter 5.28.100.) Perhaps the planning commissioner who confirmed this exemption on the phone misunderstood the question...?
Can the database be updated?
