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Shafter · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Shafter

In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.

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Key points

  • Pets: In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.

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

What Shafter's code says

Shafter code What Shafter's code adds
Bees
  • Yes, subject to a consistency assessment of safety risk.
    Applies: Agricultural zone district.
    § 6.80.040 · code text
    Beekeeping;
Permit
  • A consistency assessment.
    Applies: Agricultural zone district; beekeeping, beef cattle or livestock grazing.
    § 6.80.040 · code text
    The following require this assessment: A. Beekeeping; B. Beef cattle or livestock grazing.
Pet limit
  • No more than 3 dogs per lot.
    Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts.
    § 6.80.020 · code text
    The keeping of dogs shall not exceed a total of three per lot.
  • No more than 3 adult cats per lot.
    Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts.
    § 6.80.020 · code text
    The keeping of adult cats shall not exceed three per lot.
  • Up to 20 adult household pets other than dogs and cats.
    Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts; subject to animal control health and safety inspection.
    § 6.80.020 · code text
    The keeping of up to twenty domestic, adult household pets, other than dogs and cats, including domestic birds, tropical fish, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, etc., shall be permitted; however, will be subject to inspection for health and safety considerations by the animal control manager upon citizen complaint or other communications which indicate possible health, abuse and neglect issues.
  • 3 adult dogs per residence.
    Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
    § 6.84.010 · code text
    Three adult dogs per residence; three adult cats per residence.
  • 3 adult cats per residence.
    Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
    § 6.84.010 · code text
    Three adult dogs per residence; three adult cats per residence.
  • Up to 20 adult household pets other than dogs and cats.
    Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones; subject to animal control health and safety inspection.
    § 6.84.010 · code text
    The keeping of up to twenty domestic, adult household pets, other than dogs and cats, including domestic birds, tropical fish, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, etc., shall be permitted, however, will be subject to inspection for health and safety considerations by the animal control manager upon citizen complaint or other communications which indicate possible health, abuse and neglect issues.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Shafter's pets, chickens and bees rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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