Can I keep chickens in Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — Los Angeles allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 35 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 35 ft |
| Coop rules | No numeric hen cap in the Municipal Code. Minimum distances are set by Department of Animal Services rules under LAMC 53.59, which the department publishes as 20 feet from the owner's residence and 35 feet from any neighboring dwelling. LAMC 53.71 limits a lot to one rooster (permit-based exceptions only). |
| Code section | LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot) |
Los Angeles sets no hen cap in its code. Coop distances come from Animal Services rules adopted under LAMC 53.59 (20 feet from your own home, 35 feet from a neighbor's). One rooster per lot is allowed under LAMC 53.71.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Los Angeles?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Los Angeles (LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot)).
How many chickens can I keep in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Los Angeles?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Los Angeles.
Are roosters allowed in Los Angeles?
Yes, with conditions — see Los Angeles's rules (LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Los Angeles?
35 feet minimum. No numeric hen cap in the Municipal Code. Minimum distances are set by Department of Animal Services rules under LAMC 53.59, which the department publishes as 20 feet from the owner's residence and 35 feet from any neighboring dwelling. LAMC 53.71 limits a lot to one rooster (permit-based exceptions only).
What law covers backyard chickens in Los Angeles?
LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
LAMC Sec. 53.59 (distances set by Department of Animal Services rules), Sec. 53.71 (one rooster per lot) — read the official code
“No more than one rooster per property in residential areas; hens allowed without specific limit” source
“SEC. 53.71 ... No person... shall own, possess, maintain or have custody of more than one rooster on any lot...” source
“Chickens must be kept 20 feet from owner's residence and 35 feet from neighboring residences” source
“SEC. 53.59. ANIMALS - DISTANCES - SEPARATION FROM DWELLING. The Department shall, by its rules, establish the minimum distance from dwellings, churches, schools, office buildings, business establishments and other occupancies, within which animals, and the cages, coops, or other enclosures required for their keeping may be maintained.” 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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