Can I keep chickens in Irvine, CA?
Yes, with conditions — Irvine allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 30 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-902, 4-5-907, 4-5-913, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 30 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry beyond two must be confined at all times in a suitable house or coop with an enclosed runway, kept clean, weatherproof and odor-free. No house or coop within 30 feet of any dwelling unit other than the owner's. Section 4-5-907 does not apply in the 1.1, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 zones. |
| Code section | Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-902, 4-5-907, 4-5-913 |
Irvine allows up to two poultry, or up to four poultry and rabbits combined when kept in a coop with an enclosed run, but only where the zoning regulations expressly permit poultry. Coops must be at least 30 feet from any neighbor's dwelling. Roosters are illegal except in areas the Zoning Code expressly permits.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Irvine?
Yes, with conditions — Irvine allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-902, 4-5-907, 4-5-913).
How many chickens can I keep in Irvine?
Up to 4 hens. Up to 2 poultry over four months old with no special conditions; up to 4 poultry and rabbits combined if kept at all times in a house or coop with an enclosed runway. Zoning must expressly permit poultry on the parcel (Sec. 4-5-902).. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Irvine?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Irvine.
Are roosters allowed in Irvine?
No — roosters are prohibited in Irvine.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Irvine?
30 feet minimum. Poultry beyond two must be confined at all times in a suitable house or coop with an enclosed runway, kept clean, weatherproof and odor-free. No house or coop within 30 feet of any dwelling unit other than the owner's. Section 4-5-907 does not apply in the 1.1, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 zones.
What law covers backyard chickens in Irvine?
Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-902, 4-5-907, 4-5-913. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-902, 4-5-907, 4-5-913 — read the official code
“Sec. 4-5-902. - Zoning restriction. No person may maintain any livestock or poultry within the corporate City limits unless expressly permitted by the zoning regulations.” source
“Maximum of two hens or four total poultry and rabbits combined” source
“Sec. 4-5-907. - Poultry and rabbits. A. No person shall keep or maintain or cause to be kept or maintained within the corporate City limits poultry in excess of two, or rabbits in excess of two, over four months of age, except under the following conditions: 1. Such poultry and rabbits shall under no circumstances be permitted to run at large but shall be at all times confined within a suitable house or coop with enclosed runway. Under such conditions, the maximum number shall not exceed a total of four poultry and/or rabbits.” source
“Sec. 4-5-913. - Keeping of roosters illegal. No person shall keep or maintain or cause to be kept or maintained within the corporate City limits any roosters unless they are kept or housed in an area expressly permitted by the Zoning Code.” source
Last verified September 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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