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Temecula · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Temecula

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

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

What Temecula's code says

Temecula code What Temecula's code adds
Bees
  • Allowed on lots of at least 0.5 acres; fresh water must be available for the bees.
    Applies: All zones except HR, HR-SM and OS/OS-C; only in plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    0.5 acres
  • Hives at least 400 feet from streets, day care, schools, parks, other owners' property lines and others' homes.
    Applies: Only in specific plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animal keeping.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    400 foot minimum setback of all bee hives, apiaries or boxes housing bees from any public streets or highways, day care, educational institution, park, property line to a different ownership, or from any dwelling or place of human habitation other than that occupied by the owner or caretaker of the bees.
Chickens
  • Up to 50 poultry per acre; no roosters or crowing fowl.
    Applies: Lots over 1.0 acre, all zones except H, HR, HR-SM, OS/OS-C; poultry contained; only where plan zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    50 poultry/acre
  • Up to 12 poultry; no roosters or crowing fowl.
    Applies: Lots under 1.0 acre, all zones except H, HR, HR-SM, OS/OS-C; poultry contained; only where plan zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    12 poultry
  • Up to 4 poultry; no roosters or crowing fowl.
    Applies: LM and M zones; poultry contained; only in plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    4 poultry
Coop setback
  • At least 25 feet from the property line of a neighboring home, day care, school, hospital or church.
    Applies: Poultry and other listed animals; only in plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    All animals shall be kept a minimum distance of 25 feet from the property line of any adjacent residence, day care, educational institution, hospital or church that is located on adjacent property.
Large animals
  • 2 large animals on the first 0.5 acre, plus 1 more for each extra 0.5 acre.
    Applies: Cattle, horses, mules; lot at least 0.5 acres; not LM, HR, HR-SM, OS/OS-C; only where plan zoning is silent.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    First 0.5 acre - 2 large animals Each additional 0.5 acre - 1 additional large animal
  • 2 small animals on the first 0.5 acre, plus 3 more for each extra 0.5 acre.
    Applies: Burros, goats, pigs, ponies, sheep; lot at least 0.5 acres; not LM, HR, HR-SM, OS/OS-C; only where plan zoning is silent.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    First 0.5 acre - 2 small animals Each additional 0.5 acre - 3 additional small animals
Permit
  • A conditional use permit is needed to keep exotic animals, including as pets.
    Applies: All zones except HR, HR-SM and OS/OS-C; only in plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    ANIMAL USES/KEEPING THAT REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Pet limit
  • No more than 4 cats or dogs in any combination.
    Applies: Single and multiple-family homes; only animals over 4 months count; only where plan or overlay zoning is silent on animals.
    § 6.08.010 · code text
    Any combination of 4 cats or dogs

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

Temecula's code: Up to 50 poultry per acre; no roosters or crowing fowl. (Lots over 1.0 acre, all zones except H, HR, HR-SM, OS/OS-C; poultry contained; only where plan zoning is silent on animals.) (§ 6.08.010); Allowed on lots of at least 0.5 acres; fresh water must be available for the bees. (All zones except HR, HR-SM and OS/OS-C; only in plan or overlay areas whose zoning is silent on animals.) (§ 6.08.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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