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

Porterville's code: Yes, up to 3 hens. (Single-family homes. Hens must be in a fenced area in the rear yard. No roosters.) (§ 5-3.1); No. Honeybees are banned, except the number needed to pollinate crops on the property while pollination is needed. (§ 18-28).

Pets, chickens and bees in Porterville: the local rules

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Bees	No. Honeybees are banned, except the number needed to pollinate crops on the property while pollination is needed. § 18-28 · code text Placement of bees on property that has crops dependent upon bee pollination for crop production shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Only the number of bees reasonably necessary to pollinate the crops located on the subject property during the time pollination is required shall be so exempt.
Chickens	Yes, up to 3 hens. Applies: Single-family homes. Hens must be in a fenced area in the rear yard. No roosters. § 5-3.1 · code text A total of not more than three (3) chicken hens may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary environment. Yes, up to 12 birds per gross acre. Applies: AC and RR zones, on lots of 0.5 acre or more and single-family lots of 2 acres or more. § 5-3.1 · code text The keeping of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, game birds or fowl is permitted with the total number not to exceed twelve (12) birds per gross acre.
Coop setback	At least 30 feet from any home, except the chicken owner's own home. Applies: Applies to chicken coops. § 5-3.1 · code text No part of any structure (i.e., coop) shall be located less than thirty feet (30') from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such chickens. At least 35 feet from property lines and 50 feet from any home. Applies: Applies to housing or pens for animals other than household pets. § 5-3.1 · code text All animals other than household pets shall be housed or penned at a minimum distance of thirty five feet (35') from property lines and fifty feet (50') from any residence.
Large animals	Horses, cows, goats, sheep and similar animals: 1 per 15,000 square feet of lot area. Applies: AC and RR zones, on lots of 0.5 acre or more and single-family lots of 2 acres or more. § 5-3.1 · code text the number of animals does not exceed one per fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of lot area. Pigs: 1 per student. Applies: Applies to an FFA or 4-H fair project. The student must live on the property. § 5-3.1 · code text The raising of pigs is permitted in conjunction with an FFA or 4-H project for any recognized fair, the limit being one animal per student residing on the property.
Permit	Zoning administrator approval is required. Applies: Keeping horses, cows, goats, sheep or similar animals in the AC and RR zones on qualifying lots. § 5-3.1 · code text The keeping of horses, cows, goats, sheep or other equine, bovine, ovine or ruminant animals is permitted in the AC and RR zone districts on lots one-half (0.5) acre or greater and on lots two (2) acres or larger developed as a single-family residential use, subject to zoning administrator approval
Pet limit	No more than 7 household pets combined. Applies: Applies to all household pets combined. § 5-3.1 · code text At no time shall the combined number of animals kept exceed seven (7) animals. No more than 3 cats, dogs or chickens. § 5-3.1 · code text At no time shall the number of cats, dogs, or chickens exceed three (3) animals.

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