Can I keep chickens in Santa Rosa, CA?
Yes — Santa Rosa allows backyard chickens, up to 30 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-42.040, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 30 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Tiered formula based on lot size: 3 hens (≤5k sq ft), 6 hens (5-10k sq ft), 12 hens (10k-43.5k sq ft), 30 hens (>1 acre/43,560 sq ft). Roosters prohibited. 20-ft setback from adjacent habitable structures. |
| Code section | Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-42.040 |
Santa Rosa permits 3-30 hens based on lot size via tiered formula. Maximum 30 hens for properties over 1 acre. Roosters prohibited. 20-foot setback required.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Santa Rosa?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-42.040).
How many chickens can I keep in Santa Rosa?
Up to 30 hens. Tiered by lot size: 3 up to 5,000 sq ft; 6 up to 10,000 sq ft; 12 up to 43,560 sq ft; 30 up to 500,000 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Santa Rosa?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Santa Rosa.
Are roosters allowed in Santa Rosa?
No — roosters are prohibited in Santa Rosa.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Santa Rosa?
20 feet minimum. Tiered formula based on lot size: 3 hens (≤5k sq ft), 6 hens (5-10k sq ft), 12 hens (10k-43.5k sq ft), 30 hens (>1 acre/43,560 sq ft). Roosters prohibited. 20-ft setback from adjacent habitable structures.
What law covers backyard chickens in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-42.040. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-42.040 — read the official code
“3 hens (≤5k sq ft), 6 hens (5-10k sq ft), 12 hens (10k-43.5k sq ft), 30 hens (>1 acre); roosters prohibited; 20-ft setback required” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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