Title 9 — PLANNING AND ZONING›Article 5 — SPECIAL USE STANDARDS
Menifee Zoning Code Ch. 9.235 Animal Keeping
Menifee Zoning Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-19 · Menifee
Cite as: Menifee Zoning Code Chapter 9.235 · Text as of 2026-10-19
Contents:
9.235.010 Purpose
9.235.020 Applicability
9.235.030 Keeping of Animals
9.235.040 Fowl
9.235.050 Kennels
9.235.060 Miniature Pigs
9.235.070 Animal Maturity
9.235.080 Animal Grazing
9.235.010 Purpose¶
The purpose of this chapter is to provide reasonable standards for the keeping and raising of animals to avoid and minimize adverse impacts on adjacent properties and preserve the city’s quality and character. This chapter will allow for keeping of animals in limited numbers with reasonable controls and safeguards to protect the character of the community.
(2022-351, 09/21/2022)
Effective on: 10/21/2022
9.235.020 Applicability¶
- The requirements contained in this chapter shall apply to all animal keeping in the City of Menifee including domestic and farm animals, kennels, catteries, horse stables, boarding and riding academies.
- Any legally established nonconforming animal keeping use that became nonconforming upon adoption of this ordinance shall be permitted to continue subject to Chapter 9.15 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures).
- Animals may be kept on legally established lots of record that are less than the minimum lot size reference in Table 9.235.030-1 subject to compliance with setback regulations of the underlying zoning district and subject to approval by the Community Development Director.
(2022-351, 09/21/2022)
Effective on: 10/21/2022
9.235.030 Keeping of Animals¶
Animal keeping uses allowed in Article 3 (Zones) and listed in Table 9.235.030-1 shall comply with the standards listed in Table 9.235.030-1 (Animal Keeping Standards) and with all other standards and requirements of this section and with all other applicable ordinances and regulations.
Only the following animals may be kept in the following zones up to the maximum numbers listed, except where they create a public nuisance regardless of their numbers. Unless specified below, no animals or fowl, other than domestic pets, poultry and rabbits for the exclusive use of the occupant, shall be permitted on lots of less than 20,000 square feet. The keeping of animals is only allowed as an accessory use, except in the AG zone.
Table 9.235.030-1, Animal Keeping Standards
| Types of Animals/ |
Commercial (C) or Non- Commercial (NC) | Zones Permitted | Max Number of Animals per Site | Min Lot Size | Setbacks and Standards (See Table Footnotes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Animals (e.g. hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas, and similar sized animals) | C | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | Per Approval Authority | 1 acre | A |
| Small Animals (e.g. hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas, and similar sized animals) | NC | All Zones | 30 | -- | A |
| Medium Animals (e.g. sheep, goats, pigs, and similar sized animals) | C | AG, RM, RR5, RR2 | Per Approval Authority | 1 acre | A, B |
| Medium Animals (e.g. sheep, goats, pigs, and similar sized animals) | NC | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | 2 animals per ½ acre | ½ acre | A |
| Medium Animals (e.g. sheep, goats, pigs, and similar sized animals) | NC | LDR-1, LDR-2 | 1 | 7,200 SF | A |
| Large Animals (e.g. cows, horses, camels, llamas, and other similar sized animals) | C | AG, RR5, RR2 | 5 animals per acre | 2 acres | A, B |
| Large Animals (e.g. cows, horses, camels, llamas, and other similar sized animals) | NC | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1 | 5 animals per acre | 1 acre | A, B |
| Large Animals (e.g. cows, horses, camels, llamas, and other similar sized animals) | NC | RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2 | 2 animals per 20,000 sq. ft. , maximum 4 animals | 1 acre | A, B |
| Non-Crowing Fowl (hens, ducks, etc.) | C | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Non-Crowing Fowl (hens, ducks, etc.) | NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1 | 12 | 20,000 sq. ft. | A, C |
| Non-Crowing Fowl (hens, ducks, etc.) | NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1 | 50 | 40,000 sq. ft. | A, C |
| Non-Crowing Fowl (hens, ducks, etc.) | NC | RM, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2 | 4 | 7,200 sq. ft. | A, C |
| Crowing Fowl (e.g. roosters, turkeys, peacocks, etc.) | C | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Crowing Fowl (e.g. roosters, turkeys, peacocks, etc.) | NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1 | 1 | 1 acre | A, C |
| Kennels and Catteries | C/NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | See classifications and 9.235.050 | 1 acre | 9.235.050 |
| Kennels and Catteries | C/NC | BP, HI | See classifications and 9.235.050 | -- | 9.235.050 |
| Stables/ |
C | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1 | 5 animals per acre | 1 acre | A, B |
| Aquaculture (commercial raising of fish, frogs, shellfish, algae, etc.) | C | AG, RR5, RR2 | Per Approval Authority | 1 acre | A |
| Apiary (beekeeping) | C | AG, RM, RR5 | 1 Hive for every 7,200 sq. ft. | 7,200 sq. ft. | D |
| Apiary (beekeeping) | NC | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2 | 1 Hive for every 7,200 sq. ft. | 7,200 sq. ft. | D |
| Aviary | C | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Aviary | NC | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | 50 birds per acre; more than 50 per Approval Authority | ½ Acre | A |
| Animal Rescue | C/NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2, BP, HI | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein | 1 acre | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein |
| Petting Zoo | C/NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein | 1 acre | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein |
| Future Farmers of America and 4-H Programs | C/NC | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR1/2 | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein | 1 acre | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein |
| Future Farmers of America and 4-H Programs | C/NC | LDR-1, LDR-2, LMDR,MDR, MHDR, HDR | A total of 5 large and medium animals of any combination. This does not include crowing fowl. | 1 acre | As otherwise permitted for each animal type permitted herein |
| Animals must be kept and maintained in an enclosed area, located not less than 20 feet from any property line and at least 50 feet from any residence existing at the time such use is established. Lots must be a minimum of 100 feet in width. Animals must be kept in the rear yard. Hives must be kept at least 50 feet away from any highways, roads, streets, public school or park property, or any structure used as a dwelling or as a place of business. |
- Animals may be kept on any residentially zoned property in the maximum numbers identified in this chapter, provided the keeping of said animals does not constitute a nuisance.
- It shall be unlawful to keep a number of animals exceeding the numbers set out in this chapter, except as may be otherwise allowed by the approval authority.
- Approval Authority Conditions. The Approval Authority may require fencing and landscaping of the parcel and limits on the number of animals to ensure the use is compatible with the surrounding area.
(2025-417, 07/16/2025)
Effective on: 8/16/2025
9.235.040 Fowl¶
Development Standards. No keeping of Fowl shall be allowed unless it complies with the following standards:
The proposed use must conform to all the requirements of the Menifee General Plan.
The lot is zoned for the keeping or raising of fowl as a permitted use and subject to the restrictions of the zone.
The fowl shall be kept in an enclosed area located not less than 20 feet from any property line and not less than 50 feet from any residence and shall be maintained on the rear portion of the lot in conjunction with a residential use. To mitigate potential noise and to avoid the creation of a public nuisance due to noise, the enclosed area shall be constructed, and the crowing fowl shall be maintained, as follows:
The fowl shall be kept in a solid walled acoustical enclosure with a solid roof attached to all perimeter walls of the enclosure.
Fowl shall be confined inside the walled and roofed enclosure between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day.
The walled and roofed enclosure shall be completely screened, except for its entry, by landscaping, including trees and shrubbery.
Any noise escaping from the enclosure shall not interfere with a reasonable person's use and enjoyment of his or her real property.
All of the development standards of the zone in which the fowl is located shall be met.
Findings are made by the Community Development Director that there is no adverse impact on the public health, safety or welfare.
9.235.050 Kennels¶
- Kennels may be for commercial or noncommercial purposes, including for raising of guard dogs, care animals, rescue animals, and breeding and boarding.
- The following classes of kennels are allowed in the following zones pursuant to Table 9.235.050-1, pursuant to the following development standards:
Table 9.235.050-1, Kennel Classes and Allowed Zoning
| Class of Kennels | Zones Where Allowed | Maximum Number of Animals per Site | Minimum Lot Size for Keeping Such Animals | Kennel Definitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Kennel | All zones | 1–4 dogs | -- | One to 4 dogs on a property is allowed without a Conditional Use Permit issued from the Community Development Department. |
| Class I Kennel | AG, RM, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR½, LDR-1, LDR-2 | 5–10 dogs | 1 acre | Any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which, 5 to 10 dogs, four months or older of age, are kept or maintained. A Class I Kennel shall not include a sentry dog kennel. |
| Class II Kennel/ |
AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, RR½, BP, HI, EDC | 11–25 dogs 10–25 cats | 1 acre (or as noted in Section C below) | Any building, structure, enclosure or premise, whereupon, or within which, 11 to 25 dogs, four months of age or older, or 10 to 25 cats are kept or maintained. |
| Class III Kennel/ |
AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, BP, HI, EDC | 26–40 dogs 26–40 cats | 1 acre (or as noted in Section C below) | Any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which, 26 to 40 dogs or cats, four months or older of age, are kept or maintained. |
| Class IV Kennel/ |
AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, BP, HI, EDC | 41 or more dogs or cats | 1 acre (or as noted in Section C below) | Any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which, 41 or more dogs, four months or older of age, or 41 or more cats, are kept or maintained. |
| Sentry Dog Kennel | AG, RR5, RR2, RR1, BP, HI, EDC | 5 or more dogs | 1 acre (or as noted in Section C below) | Any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which, 5 or more guard, or sentry dogs are kept or maintained. A sentry dog is any dog trained to work without supervision in a fenced facility and to deter or detain unauthorized persons found within the facility. The term "guard dog" shall also mean "sentry dog." |
Development and Operations Standards.
Residency. In agricultural, rural and residential zones permitting kennels, such kennels may be placed upon parcels containing detached single-family dwelling units. All Class II Kennels and above shall include a single-family dwelling to be used by a live-in caretaker. Notwithstanding any provision within this ordinance to the contrary, no parcel with a kennel or cattery shall contain more than the maximum number of detached single-family dwelling units permitted by the existing zoning on the property. Multi-family dwelling units and attached single-family dwelling units shall not be permitted in conjunction with kennels or catteries, provided, however, that a guest living quarter or accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted in accordance with current City zoning regulations.
Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size for a kennel or cattery in an agricultural, residential or rural zone is 1 acre (gross). There is no minimum lot size for a kennel or cattery in a business park or industrial zone other than what is required by the existing zoning on the property.
License. The applicant shall obtain and continuously maintain all necessary licenses as adopted by the City.
(2022-351, 09/21/2022)
Effective on: 10/21/2022
9.235.060 Miniature Pigs¶
- Any person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any miniature pig shall keep such pig exclusively upon his or her own premises, provided, however, that such pig may be off such premises if under restraint of a competent person.
- The miniature pig must be kept in an enclosure that is no closer than 30 feet from the front property line, 15 feet from any side or rear property line and no closer than 35 feet from any dwelling unit other than the dwelling unit on the subject lot.
9.235.070 Animal Maturity¶
The provisions of this chapter apply to mature breeding stock, maintenance stock and similar farm stock, and shall not apply to the offspring thereof, if such offspring are being kept, fed or maintained solely for sale, marketing or slaughtering at the earliest practical age of maturity.
Whenever any section of this ordinance requires a determination as to the maturity of animals, the following periods of time shall be used to establish the age of maturity:
Birds: 6 months
Cattle: 18 months
Fowl and poultry: 2 months
Goats: 9 months
Horses: 24 months
Pigs: 8 months
Sheep: 9 months
Other small farm animals: 6 months
9.235.080 Animal Grazing¶
- There shall be no limit to the permissible number of goats or sheep which may be grazed per acre when the grazing is for the purpose of cleaning up unharvested crops or weed abatement, provided that such grazing is not conducted for more than 4 weeks in any 6 month period.
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