Pets, chickens and bees in Lemon Grove: the local rules

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

What Lemon Grove's code says

Lemon Grove code What Lemon Grove's code adds
Coop setback	At least 5 feet away. Applies: Animal pens, coops, stables or enclosures, from side or rear lot lines; small animals behind a home with a solid 6-foot fence are excepted. § 18.16.020 · code text Within five feet of any side or rear lot line. At least 20 feet away. Applies: Household and small farm animals behind a home, behind a solid 6-foot fence or wall; distance from any other person's home. § 18.16.020 · code text They are at least twenty feet from any dwelling other than that occupied by the owner of the animals; At least 20 feet away. Applies: Cages, coops or pens up to 6 feet high with up to 3 small animals, behind the home; distance from any other person's home. § 18.16.020 · code text may be located anywhere behind a dwelling but may be no closer than twenty feet from any dwelling other than that occupied by the owner of the animals. At least 25 feet away. Applies: Distance from any side street lot line. § 18.16.020 · code text Within twenty-five feet of any side street lot line and fifty feet of any front lot line. At least 50 feet away. Applies: Distance from any front lot line. § 18.16.020 · code text Within twenty-five feet of any side street lot line and fifty feet of any front lot line.
Permit	A conditional use permit may be issued. Applies: For youths in animal-raising projects sponsored by 4-H, FFA or similar youth groups. § 18.16.020 · code text Conditional use permits may be issued to youths involved in animal raising projects sponsored by 4-H, FFA, or similar youth organizations involved in animal raising.
Pet limit	Either 2 dogs, or 4 cats, or 4 of these animals combined, with no more than 2 dogs per lot. Applies: Residential low and low/medium zones, on lots of 12,500 square feet or less. § 18.16.030 · code text On lots less than or equal to twelve thousand five hundred full square feet of lot area: either two dogs; or four cats; or a combination of four such animals, provided that there shall be no more than two dogs per lot. Either 4 dogs, or 6 cats, or 7 of these animals combined, with no more than 4 dogs per lot. Applies: Residential low and low/medium zones, on lots over 12,500 square feet. § 18.16.030 · code text On lots over twelve thousand five hundred full square feet of lot area: either four dogs; or six cats; or a combination of seven such animals, provided that there shall be no more than four dogs per lot. 1 dog and 2 cats per home. Applies: Applies in residential medium and medium/high districts. § 18.16.030 · code text Within the residential medium and medium/high districts, one dog, and two cats may be kept per dwelling unit. Up to 15 other household animals per lot, not counting fish; no more than 3 large or noisy birds. Applies: Applies to other household animals on a lot whose main use is residential. § 18.16.030 · code text Such household animals shall not exceed fifteen upon any one lot (excluding fish). Not more than three parrots, macaws, mynah birds, or similar large or noisy birds may be kept.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Lemon Grove?

Lemon Grove's code: At least 5 feet away. (Animal pens, coops, stables or enclosures, from side or rear lot lines; small animals behind a home with a solid 6-foot fence are excepted.) (§ 18.16.020); At least 20 feet away. (Household and small farm animals behind a home, behind a solid 6-foot fence or wall; distance from any other person's home.) (§ 18.16.020).

Pets, chickens and bees in Lemon Grove

What Lemon Grove's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Lemon Grove property

More on building on your lot in Lemon Grove