Can I keep chickens in Riverside, CA?
Yes, with conditions — Riverside allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 50 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 50 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Tiered: 5 poultry at 50-ft setback OR 50 poultry at 100-ft setback. Limited roosters (7 max) only at 100 ft with soundproofing. Prohibited in R-3/R-4 zones. |
| Code section | Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping) |
Riverside allows poultry with tiered setback requirements: 5 birds at 50 feet or up to 50 birds at 100 feet from dwellings. Roosters (max 7) only permitted at 100-foot setback with soundproofing. Prohibited in higher-density residential zones.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Riverside?
Yes, with conditions — Riverside allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping)).
How many chickens can I keep in Riverside?
Up to 50 hens. Tiered by lot size: 5 up to 50,000 sq ft; 50 up to 500,000 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Riverside?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Riverside.
Are roosters allowed in Riverside?
Yes, with conditions — see Riverside's rules (Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Riverside?
100 feet minimum. Tiered: 5 poultry at 50-ft setback OR 50 poultry at 100-ft setback. Limited roosters (7 max) only at 100 ft with soundproofing. Prohibited in R-3/R-4 zones.
What law covers backyard chickens in Riverside?
Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Riverside Municipal Code Title 19, Ch. 19.455 (Animal Keeping) — read the official code
“5 poultry at 50-foot setback or 50 poultry at 100-foot setback from dwellings” source
“the noncommercial keeping of not more than five poultry and four rabbits is permitted. Such animals shall be housed... at least 50 feet from any residence ... Where poultry and rabbits are housed... at least 100 feet from any residence... not more than 50 poultry and 45 rabbits” source
“the keeping of not more than seven crowing roosters are permitted on any lot of 20,000 square feet or greater... provided that such roosters are housed from sunset to sunrise in an acoustical structure... at least 100 feet from any residential structure” 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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