Are Chickens Allowed in San Diego, CA?

BySusan Medlin

Yes — chickens are allowed within the City of San Diego under certain conditions. The city has rules about how many chickens you can have, where your coop must be located, and what kind of enclosures are required. Below is a fully detailed guide, well-formatted, so you can tell whether your property qualifies.

Basic Rules & What’s Allowed

  • No roosters are permitted anywhere. Only hens (“domestic fowl”) are allowed.
  • Hens may be kept on single-family homes, community gardens, or retail farms.
  • The number of chickens you can have depends on how far your coop (and/or run) is from property lines and other structures (setbacks).

How Many Chickens Can You Have

Here are thresholds for how many hens are allowed based on coop placement relative to property lines or structures:

  • Up to 5 hens: If the coop is located outside of all required setbacks.
  • Up to 15 hens: If the coop is at least 15 feet from all property lines or outside all required setbacks, whichever requirement is greater.
  • Up to 25 hens: If the coop and the enclosure are at least 50 feet from any building used as a residence.

Coop and Enclosure Standards

If you want to keep chickens legally, your coop and run must meet certain standards. The more the setup meets or exceeds these, the more likely you are to stay compliant.

  • The coop must be predator-proof. Protect against rodents, coyotes, raccoons, etc.
  • Ventilation is required so that hens have airflow and moisture/odor is managed.
  • The coop should be watertight (roof protection, good flooring) so it keeps chickens dry and safe.
  • Hens must be able to move freely inside the coop. Enough space per bird indoors.
  • Outdoor enclosure (“run”) must be fenced, predator-proof, easily accessed and maintained.
  • Outdoor space minimum: 10 square feet per chicken in the run / ground-area portion.
  • The coop and run must be cleanable—to enable removal of waste, easy access for cleaning, etc.

Setback Requirements

“Setbacks” are distances from your coop/enclosure to property lines or buildings. These matter a lot for how many hens you get and where you can locate the coop. Here are key setback rules:

  • The coop must be outside all required residential zoning setbacks to qualify for the lower-hens thresholds.
  • To use the “15-hens” allowance, your coop needs to be at least 15 feet from all property lines (or satisfying the relevant setback requirement).
  • To use the “25-hens” allowance, coop + enclosure needs to be at least 50 feet from any building used as a residence.
  • Typically, coop must be in the rear yard. Side or front yards are usually not acceptable when meet-these stricter thresholds.

Things to Keep in Mind (Daily Care & Responsibilities)

  • Keep feed stored securely to avoid attracting rodents.
  • Manage waste (droppings/soiled bedding) to reduce odor and pests. Clean regularly.
  • Ensure coop is safe from predators and well maintained.
  • Ensure enough shade or shelter from weather (sun, rain).
  • Be considerate of neighbors: noise, smell, flies can become issues. A well-designed coop helps prevent complaints.

How to Check If Your Property Qualifies

  1. Find your property’s zoning designation (single-family home, etc.).
  2. Look up setback requirements for your zone via San Diego’s zoning or planning department.
  3. Measure where you plan to put the coop: distance to property lines, to nearest dwelling.
  4. Determine which chicken threshold your setup meets (5, 15, or 25 hens).
  5. Ensure coop and run meet the standards (ventilation, predator-proofing, space per bird, etc.).

Potential Issues & Limitations

  • Even though roosters are banned, hens still produce some noise (clucking, etc.). In densely built neighborhoods, this might irritate neighbors.
  • Odor control needs to be good, or you could face complaints or code enforcement.
  • Enclosure maintenance (cleaning, waste) takes time, materials, and effort.
  • If coop is too close to neighbors or violates setback rules, you may not qualify for the higher chicken thresholds.
  • Sometimes the rules have changed or may vary slightly depending on your specific parcel. Always check with the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a rooster?

No — roosters are not permitted anywhere in the City of San Diego under the current rules.

Do hens still lay eggs even without a rooster?

Yes. Hens will lay eggs without a rooster, though the eggs will not be fertilized. Fertilized eggs are only required if you want chicks.

If my coop is in the rear yard but close to property lines, how many hens can I have?

You may still have the lower threshold (up to 5 hens) if the coop is outside all required setbacks. If you want more hens (15 or 25), you’ll need to meet greater distance requirements (15 feet, 50 feet, etc.).

What if I violate setback or coop standards?

Violating the rules could lead to notices from code enforcement, required removal or reduction of flock, or other penalties. Keeping everything compliant helps avoid trouble.

Conclusion

Overall, San Diego allows backyard chickens with clear rules: no roosters, specific coop standards, setback requirements, and limits on how many hens depending on how far your coop is from property lines or residences. If you follow the rules, you can legally keep hens, even up to 25, in the city — provided your coop and enclosure meet the higher standard thresholds. Always double-check with San Diego’s planning or humane resources before building. But yes, chickens are possible in many homes in San Diego.