Napa County Municipal Code Ch. 6.18 Keeping of Roosters

The intent of this chapter is to limit the number of roosters that may be kept on a single legal parcel, to eliminate the potential for public nuisance, illegal cockfighting and the raising of birds to be used for cockfighting, and for the protection of the health and safety of the residents of Napa County.

(Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 3-12-2013, eff. 4-11-2013; Ord. No. 1517, § 1, 12-16-2025)

Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions in this section shall govern the interpretation of the provisions of this chapter.

"Agricultural commissioner" means the Napa County agricultural commissioner-sealer of weights and measures, or the agricultural commissioner's designees.

"Rooster" means any male chicken which is: (1) Six months or older; or (2) Has full adult plumage; or (3) Capable of crowing.

(Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 3-12-2013, eff. 4-11-2013; Ord. No. 1517, § 2, 12-16-2025)

A. No roosters may be raised or kept on any property within unincorporated Napa County except in accordance with the following schedule:

B. Reserved.

C. Reserved.

D. Each individual rooster beyond the rooster limitation in subsection (A) above constitutes a separate violation.

E. Rooster enclosures shall have a minimum set back from residences on adjacent parcels of fifty feet.

F. Nothing in the foregoing is to be construed as approving the keeping of any poultry in contravention of any statute, zoning ordinance, or other law.

G. At all times, roosters shall be provided:

1. Access to water and shelter from the elements (rain, wind, direct sun, etc.);

2. Sufficient room to spread both wings fully and to be able to turn in a complete circle without any impediment and without touching the side of an enclosure; and

3. Clean and sanitary premises that are kept in good repair.

H. Reserved.

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall keep or maintain any rooster by means of a tether attached to an object. Each individual rooster so tethered constitutes a separate violation.

(Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 3-12-2013, eff. 4-11-2013; Ord. No. 1517, § 3, 12-16-2025)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1517, § 4, adopted December 16, 2025, repealed § 6.18.040, which pertained to tethering prohibited and derived from Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 3-12-2013, eff. 4-11-2013.

A. The limitation from subsection 6.18.030 A, shall not apply to entities who have an application for exemption to rooster ordinance which has been approved by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office and the Sherriff's Department in their sole discretion.

B. The following entities are eligible to apply for an exemption: (1) A person who keeps or raises roosters for purposes of food production if the person is subject to local, state, or federal inspection laws or regulations; (2) A public or private school registered with the State Department of Education; (3) A government-operated animal shelter; (4) A 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or Grange project, if the 4-H, FFA, or Grange has provided written approval for the project to the person keeping or raising the roosters, or a 4-H, FFA or Grange project leader who is raising roosters in support of such projects; (5) A person who owns and breeds poultry for the purpose of lawful exhibition in accordance with accepted poultry raising practices and all laws and regulations governing exhibition; or (6) A person who keeps or raises roosters that were originally kept or raised for purposes of food production under (1), youth projects under (2), or lawful exhibition under (5) but has since retired its roosters from these purposes because of age or health.

C. Any person seeking exemption pursuant to this Section shall allow an onsite inspection of the premises by an enforcement officer as defined in Chapters 1.20 and 1.28 upon demand to verify initial and continued eligibility for this exemption.

D. Applicants who have submitted an application by February 1, 2026, may maintain their existing flock while their application is pending.

E. Failure of any person seeking this exemption to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or applicable law, shall constitute good cause for the denial of any approval, either original or renewal, or for its revocation.

F. An exemption approved under this Section is valid for one year from the date issued and remains valid unless cancelled by the applicant or the Agricultural Commissioner (the parties) with 30 days written notice to the other party. If an approved applicant desires to increase the number of roosters per parcel, the applicant must submit a new application. The exemption may be renewed each year by the Agricultural Commissioner.

(Ord. No. 1517, § 5, 12-16-2025)

A. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of either an infraction or a misdemeanor.

B. In addition to the penalties set forth in subsection (A), violators of this chapter may be subject to civil enforcement pursuant to Chapters 1.20 and 1.28 and state law.

C. The civil remedies and penalties provided by this subsection are cumulative to each other.

(Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 3-12-2013, eff. 4-11-2013; Ord. No. 1517, § 6, 12-16-2025)