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Benicia · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Benicia

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

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

What Benicia's code says

Benicia code What Benicia's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes: at most 10 chickens or other fowl, and at most 20 birds or rabbits combined per legal lot.
    Applies: Single-family detached homes in a residential district.
    § 6.32.040 · code text
    In single-family detached residences in a residential district, a maximum combination of 20 birds or rabbits per legal lot are permitted, provided all of them are kept at least 20 feet from any neighboring house built or used for human habitation. In no case shall more than 10 chickens or other fowl be permitted.
  • Yes: at most 6 birds, fowl or rabbits combined per legal lot.
    Applies: Multifamily residences.
    § 6.32.040 · code text
    For multifamily residences, a maximum total combination of six birds, fowl or rabbits per legal lot is permitted; provided, that all of them are kept at least 20 feet from any neighboring house built or used for human habitation.
Coop setback
  • At least 20 feet.
    Applies: Birds, fowl and rabbits at single-family and multifamily homes, measured from any neighboring house used for living.
    § 6.32.040 · code text
    In single-family detached residences in a residential district, a maximum combination of 20 birds or rabbits per legal lot are permitted, provided all of them are kept at least 20 feet from any neighboring house built or used for human habitation.
Large animals
  • Allowed only in an O-S district, subject to other city code rules.
    Applies: Pigs, hogs, sheep, oxen, horses, bulls, steers, cows, burros, mules, goats or similar animals.
    § 6.32.050 · code text
    It is unlawful to keep any pig, hog, sheep, ox, horse, bull, steer, cow, burro, jack, jenny, mule, goat, or similar animal in the city except that such animals may be kept in an O-S district subject to the provisions of BMC § 17.70.300.
Permit
  • A permit from the city is required.
    Applies: Goats kept on private property for weed reduction or abatement.
    § 6.32.050 · code text
    except the city may allow goats on public property, or on private property with a permit from the city, for weed reduction or abatement;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Benicia's code: Yes: at most 10 chickens or other fowl, and at most 20 birds or rabbits combined per legal lot. (Single-family detached homes in a residential district.) (§ 6.32.040); Yes: at most 6 birds, fowl or rabbits combined per legal lot. (Multifamily residences.) (§ 6.32.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Benicia Municipal Code — full text