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Title III›Division 1 — PLANNING›Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES

43.3 ANIMAL KEEPING

Humboldt County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-09 · Humboldt County

43.3.1 Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to regulate the density of animals and the setbacks of animal enclosures in residential zones (RM, R2 and RS) in order to maintain the quality of the urban and rural environments and to prevent public and private nuisances. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(A))

43.3.2 General Health Regulations. All animals must be kept in a manner so as not to constitute a private or public nuisance and must be afforded food and care in sanitary facilities. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(B))

43.3.3 Animals in Agriculture and Timber Zones. Nothing in this section shall limit the keeping of animals in agriculture and timber zones. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(C))

43.3.4 Domestic Animals in Residential Zones. Domestic animals may be kept as an accessory use in any residential zone where the minimum lot size, animal density and animal enclosure setback requirements of this section are satisfied. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(D))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

43.3.5 Minimum Lot Size and Animal Density Requirements. Animal keeping in RS, RM and R2 residential zones shall be limited according to the Animal Density Table. The Animal Density Table is incorporated into this section, and all references to this section shall include references to it. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(E))

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ANIMAL DENSITY TABLE
ANIMAL TYPE MINIMUM LOT SIZE MAXIMUM ANIMAL DENSITY
Large domestic bovine and one (1) acre Two (two) animals plus one
equine animals animal for each additional twenty
thousand (20,000) square feet of
lot area
Medium sized domestic animals, 10,000 square feet Two (2) animals plus one animal
such as sheep, pigs, and goats for each additional three
thousand (3,000) square feet of
lot area
Small domestic animals such as 5,000 square feet Ten (10) animals plus one animal
rabbits and poultry [(c) ] for each additional five hundred
(500) square feet of lot area
Household pets limited to dogs No minimum Four (4) dogs and/or four (4) cats
and cats [(d) ] per dwelling unit
----- End of picture text -----

(a) No animal other than those listed in this section may be kept without first securing a Special Permit.

(b) Permitted animal densities may be increased through substitution by young animals in accordance with the schedule set forth herein.

(c) No crowing rooster may be kept in any RS, RM or R2 zone.

(d) No limitations shall be placed upon household pets whose normal place of abode is within the dwelling units, such as caged birds, caged rodents, fish, reptiles and amphibia confined to aquaria and terraria.

(Former Section CZ#A314-3(E); Ord. 528, Sec. 1, 10/5/65; Ord. 556, Sec. 2, 3/22/66)

43.3.6 Young Animal Substitution Schedule. The maximum animal densities permitted under subsection 43.3.5 may be modified by substituting young animals according to the following schedule: (Former Section CZ#A314-3(F))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

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YOUNG ANIMAL SUBSTITUTION SCHEDULE
ANIMAL TYPE PERMITTED SUBSTITUTION
Large domestic animals including cows and For each one (1) adult animal three (3) young animals
horses less than six (6) months old may be substituted.
Medium-sized domestic animals including For each one (1) adult animal three (3) young animals
sheep, pigs, and goats less than six (6) months old may be substituted.
Small domestic animals including rabbits and For each one (1) adult animal three (3) young animals
poultry. less than three (3) months old may be substituted.
Household pets. Not applicable; No limit on dogs or cats less than four
(4) months old.
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43.3.7 Animal Enclosure Setback Table. In addition to conforming with all applicable yard requirements, enclosures for animals in areas zoned residential shall have the minimum setbacks specified in the Animal Enclosure Setback Table. The Animal Enclosure Setback Table is incorporated into this section, and all references to this section shall include reference to it. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(G))

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ANIMAL ENCLOSURE [(a)] SETBACK TABLE
ANIMAL ENCLOSURE LARGE DOMESTIC MEDIUM DOMESTIC SMALL DOMESTIC
LOCATION ANIMALS ANIMALS ANIMALS
Distance from Dwelling 50 feet 50 feet 25 feet
Distance from Front Lot 50 feet 50 feet 50 feet
Line
Distance from Side Lot 20 feet 20 feet 10 feet
Line
Distance from Rear Lot 20 feet 20 feet 10 feet
Line
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(a) Animal enclosure includes shelters, pens, coops, runs, hutches, stables, barns, corrals, and similar structures used for the keeping of poultry or animals.

43.3.8 Animal Slaughtering. Killing or dressing of large and medium-sized animals as specified in Section 313-43.3.5 is prohibited in RS, R2 and RM Zones. (Former Section CZ#A314-3(H))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

313-44 Repealed by Ord. 2733, § 8, 3/5/2024.

313-45

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▸ Contents — Humboldt County Zoning Code
Humboldt County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title III
    Overview
    1. ▸ Division 1 — PLANNING
      Overview
      1. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION, PROCEDURES, AMENDMENTS AND ENFORCE…
      2. Chapter 1
      3. Chapter 2
      4. Chapter 3
      5. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      6. Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES
      7. ▸ Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
        Overview
        1. 43.1 ACCESSORY USES
        2. 43.2 ALLOWED AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES NOT A NUISANCE (“RIGHT TO…
        3. 43.3 ANIMAL KEEPING
        4. 45.1 COASTAL-DEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
        5. 45.2 COTTAGE INDUSTRY
        6. 50.1 HOME OCCUPATION AND ADDRESSES OF CONVENIENCE
        7. 55.1 INDOOR CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS FOR PERSONAL USE
        8. 55.2 OUTDOOR CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS FOR PERSONAL USE
        9. 55.3 MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES
        10. 55.4 COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, MANUFACTURING, DISTRI…
        11. 55.5 INDUSTRIAL HEMP LAND USE REGULATIONS
        12. 57.1 OIL AND GAS DRILLING AND PROCESSING
        13. 61.05 SHORT-TERM RENTALS
        14. 61.2 SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
        15. 62.1 TEMPORARY USES
        16. 64.1 VEGETATION REMOVAL, MAJOR
      8. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      9. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      10. Part 4 — REGULATIONS THAT APPLY IN SENSITIVE HABITATS AND HAZA…
      11. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      12. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      13. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
      14. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      15. Part 2 — REGULATIONS FOR THE COMBINING ZONES
      16. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      17. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      18. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      19. Part 4 — (SECTION RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE)
      20. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      21. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      22. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
  2. Title III — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

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