Can I keep chickens in San Bernardino, CA?
Yes, with conditions — San Bernardino allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 24 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 24 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | Fowl must be kept more than 50 feet from any building used or intended for human occupancy (the owner's included, as written). Between 50 and 100 feet, no more than 2 fowl. Maximum 24 fowl per lot. A single rooster or peacock is allowed only if kept 200 feet from any occupied building. Fowl may not run at large on streets, sidewalks or school grounds. |
| Code section | San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040) |
San Bernardino regulates chickens by distance rather than lot size: none within 50 feet of any occupied building, at most two between 50 and 100 feet, and a lot maximum of 24 fowl. One rooster per lot is permitted, but only 200 feet from any occupied building, which rules roosters out on ordinary residential lots.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in San Bernardino?
Yes, with conditions — San Bernardino allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040)).
How many chickens can I keep in San Bernardino?
Up to 24 hens. Distance-based, not lot-size-based: no domestic fowl within 50 ft of any building used or intended for human occupancy; no more than 2 fowl between 50 and 100 ft of such a building; lot maximum 24 fowl.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in San Bernardino?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in San Bernardino.
Are roosters allowed in San Bernardino?
Yes, with conditions — see San Bernardino's rules (San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in San Bernardino?
50 feet minimum. Fowl must be kept more than 50 feet from any building used or intended for human occupancy (the owner's included, as written). Between 50 and 100 feet, no more than 2 fowl. Maximum 24 fowl per lot. A single rooster or peacock is allowed only if kept 200 feet from any occupied building. Fowl may not run at large on streets, sidewalks or school grounds.
What law covers backyard chickens in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Sec. 6.05.020, 6.05.030, 6.05.040) — read the official code
“Fowl keeping allowed only at 50+ feet from dwellings, with maximum counts based on distance: 2 at 50-100 ft, 24 at 100+ ft” source
“6.05.030 ... It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, or cause to be kept, or allowed to roam, more than two domestic fowls between 50 and 100 feet of any building or structure used or intended for human occupancy. The maximum number of domestic fowl on any lot is 24 fowl.” source
“6.05.040 ROOSTERS AND PEACOCKS NOT PERMITTED WITHIN 200 FEET OF HUMAN DWELLING. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep any rooster or peacock within 200 feet of any building or structure used or intended for human occupancy. No more than one peacock or rooster is permitted per lot.” source
“6.05.020 DOMESTIC FOWL NOT PERMITTED WITHIN FIFTY FEET OF HUMAN DWELLING. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, or cause to be kept, or allow to roam any domestic fowl within 50 feet of any building or structure used or intended for human occupancy.” 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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