Can I keep chickens in Santa Ana, CA?
Yes — Santa Ana allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (Santa Ana Municipal Code Sec. 5-6, 5-6.5, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | No permit needed for four or fewer fowl and rabbits combined. Above four, a special permit is required and all buildings, pens and runs must be at least 30 feet from any residence other than the owner's, with tight floors, 2.5 sq ft per bird, and waste removed within 48 hours. Roosters are prohibited on any residential premises. |
| Code section | Santa Ana Municipal Code Sec. 5-6, 5-6.5 |
Santa Ana allows up to four fowl or rabbits (combined) without a permit. Larger flocks need a special permit and a 30-foot separation from neighboring homes. Roosters are banned on residential property.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Santa Ana?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Santa Ana (Santa Ana Municipal Code Sec. 5-6, 5-6.5).
How many chickens can I keep in Santa Ana?
Up to 4 hens. Up to 4 fowl and rabbits combined with no permit and no codified setback. More than 4 requires a special permit approved by Planning and Development Services, with pens at least 30 ft from any residence other than the owner's..
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Santa Ana?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Santa Ana.
Are roosters allowed in Santa Ana?
No — roosters are prohibited in Santa Ana.
What law covers backyard chickens in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana Municipal Code Sec. 5-6, 5-6.5. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Santa Ana Municipal Code Sec. 5-6, 5-6.5 — read the official code
“Maximum of four hens are permitted per residential lot” source
“(b) Any person keeping or maintaining more than four (4) in number of fowl ... shall be subject to the following rules and regulations: (1) All buildings, pens, runs, or other places where such fowl and/or rabbits are kept shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from any residence, the owner's excepted.” source
“Sec. 5-6. - Permit required for large number of fowl, etc. (a) No person shall keep or maintain more than four (4) in number of any fowl (excluding roosters which are not permitted within the city per section 5-6.5 hereof), rabbit, or any combination thereof, on any premises within the city unless a special permit has been issued” source
“Sec. 5-6.5. - Prohibition of roosters. No person shall keep any rooster on any premises within the City of Santa Ana which is used for residential purposes, or on any premises which permits residential uses pursuant to the zoning districts contained in Chapter 41 of this 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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