Pets, chickens and bees in Pasadena: the local rules

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

What Pasadena's code says

Pasadena code What Pasadena's code adds
Chickens	Yes; no roosters. Applies: At least 35 feet from any home other than the keeper's, and not in a required zoning setback. § 6.20.030 · code text It is declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep chickens owned or controlled by him or it within 35 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling, church, school, hospital or place where food products are kept, stored, manufactured or served to the public, unless such house or structure is occupied by him or it, and not within a required setback as prescribed in the zoning code, or to keep any rooster inside the city limits of Pasadena.
Coop setback	At least 35 feet. Applies: Chickens must be this far from any home or listed building, unless the keeper lives there. § 6.20.030 · code text It is declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep chickens owned or controlled by him or it within 35 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling, church, school, hospital or place where food products are kept, stored, manufactured or served to the public, unless such house or structure is occupied by him or it, and not within a required setback as prescribed in the zoning code, or to keep any rooster inside the city limits of Pasadena. At least 50 feet. Applies: Applies to geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, similar fowl or rabbits, from any street or property line. § 6.20.030 · code text It is declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, squabs or similar fowls or rabbits, owned or controlled by him or it within 50 feet of any street line or within 50 feet of any property line, or within 100 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling, church, school, hospital or place where food products are kept, stored, manufactured or served to the public, unless such house or structure is occupied by him or it. At least 100 feet. Applies: Applies to geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, similar fowl or rabbits, from any home or listed building the keeper does not occupy. § 6.20.030 · code text It is declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, squabs or similar fowls or rabbits, owned or controlled by him or it within 50 feet of any street line or within 50 feet of any property line, or within 100 feet of any dwelling house or structure used as a dwelling, church, school, hospital or place where food products are kept, stored, manufactured or served to the public, unless such house or structure is occupied by him or it.
Large animals	At most 2 goats; 1 goat at least 100 feet and 2 goats at least 200 feet from another home. Applies: Applies to goats kept near a home other than the keeper's. § 6.20.100 · code text It is declared to be a nuisance and no person shall keep or maintain any goat within 100 feet of any dwelling house other than that occupied by him or it, or 2 goats within 200 feet of any dwelling house other than that occupied by him. Male goats over 6 months old are not allowed. Applies: Applies to goats kept in the city. § 6.20.100 · code text No person shall keep or maintain any male goat exceeding the age of 6 months within the city.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Pasadena's code: Yes; no roosters. (At least 35 feet from any home other than the keeper's, and not in a required zoning setback.) (§ 6.20.030); At least 35 feet. (Chickens must be this far from any home or listed building, unless the keeper lives there.) (§ 6.20.030).

Pets, chickens and bees in Pasadena

What Pasadena's code says

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