Pets, chickens and bees in Davis: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Davis Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Davis's code says

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 6 hens, or up to 6 hens and pigeons combined. Applies: In a clean, sanitary pen at least 40 feet from any home other than the owner's. § 5.01.020 · code text A total of not more than six chicken hens or six pigeons or a combination of chicken hens and pigeons not to exceed the number of six, or a total of not more than six rabbits may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary pen or structure, no part of which shall be located less than forty feet from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such animals;
Coop setback	At least 40 feet away. Applies: Pens for chickens, pigeons or rabbits; distance from any home other than the owner's. § 5.01.020 · code text no part of which shall be located less than forty feet from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such animals;
Large animals	At least 200 feet from every lot line. Applies: Applies to buildings housing more than 6 chickens or other poultry, or housing hogs; poultry and hog farms. § 40.26.290 · code text Any building housing over six chickens or other poultry or housing hogs shall be distant not less than two hundred feet from every lot line. No more than 3 qualifying swine and/or pygmy, miniature or dwarf goats combined, over 4 months old. Applies: Swine under 22 inches high and 150 pounds at maturity; goats under 28 inches high and 100 pounds at maturity. § 5.01.030 · code text No more than three such swine and/or such goats, of all types combined, over the age of four months shall be permitted.
Permit	The police chief may issue a permit, with a fee, for other numbers and without the distance limits. Applies: Applies to keeping chickens, pigeons or rabbits. § 5.01.030 · code text Following investigation and report by the police department, and without regard to distance limitations contained elsewhere in this chapter, the chief of police may issue a permit with such conditions as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Police chief permit; at most 3 swine and/or goats over 4 months old; goats dehorned, male goats neutered. Applies: Swine under 22 inches and 150 pounds, or pygmy, miniature or dwarf goats under 28 inches and 100 pounds. § 5.01.030 · code text Applications for such permissive keeping shall require a fee equal to that of a Yolo County dog license and be accompanied by a detailed statement describing the proposed method of keeping. The police chief may issue a permit with such conditions as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter and/or to mitigate nuisance noise.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Davis?

Up to 6 hens, or 6 hens and pigeons combined, are allowed in a clean pen at least 40 feet from any other home.

Pets, chickens and bees in Davis

Key points

What Davis's code says

Who this affects

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