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Santa Clarita · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita's own rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text for every value.

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

What Santa Clarita's code says

Santa Clarita code What Santa Clarita's code adds
Chickens
  • None up to 15,000 square feet; 3 on 15,000-20,000 square feet, rising to 7; 8 per acre over 1 acre.
    Applies: Poultry counts as other small animals; 7 applies on 35,001 square feet to 1 acre. Roosters only on lots over 1 acre, 1 per acre.
    § 17.62.030 · code text
    Goats, sheep, miniature horses, potbellied pigs, poultry (excluding roosters) and other similar animals.
Coop setback
  • At least 50 feet.
    Applies: Buildings or structures used for small animals, measured from any street, highway or building used for living.
    § 17.62.030 · code text
    all buildings or structures, including, but not limited to, barns, corrals, training arenas, etc., used in conjunction with the keeping of small animals shall be located a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any street or highway or any building used for human habitation.
Large animals
  • Pigs at least 150 feet from any highway and at least 50 feet from side or rear lot lines.
    Applies: Pigs are allowed only on lots larger than 1 acre, 1 per acre.
    § 17.62.020 · code text
    They shall be located not less than one hundred fifty (150) feet from any highway and not less than fifty (50) feet from the side or rear lot lines of any lot or parcel of land.
Permit
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: Applies to keeping more small animals than this section allows.
    § 17.62.030 · code text
    A minor use permit is required for the keeping of small animals in excess of the numbers permitted by this section.
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: Applies to keeping more large animals than this section allows.
    § 17.62.020 · code text
    A minor use permit is required for the keeping of large animals in excess of the numbers permitted by this section.
Pet limit
  • Up to 3 dogs and 6 cats.
    Applies: Lots of 1 acre or less. More dogs and cats may be allowed under a separate city rule.
    § 17.62.030 · code text
    Up to 15,000 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0
  • Up to 4 dogs and 10 cats.
    Applies: Applies to lots larger than 1 acre.
    § 17.62.030 · code text
    Greater than 1 acre | 24 per acre | 4 | 10 | 8 per acre

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita's code: None up to 15,000 square feet; 3 on 15,000-20,000 square feet, rising to 7; 8 per acre over 1 acre. (Poultry counts as other small animals; 7 applies on 35,001 square feet to 1 acre. Roosters only on lots over 1 acre, 1 per acre.) (§ 17.62.030); At least 50 feet. (Buildings or structures used for small animals, measured from any street, highway or building used for living.) (§ 17.62.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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Santa Clarita Municipal Code — full text