Hanford · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Hanford

Hanford'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 Hanford Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Hanford's code says

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Bees	No, bees are not allowed. Applies: Property not zoned for agricultural use. § 6.08.070 · code text It shall be unlawful for any individual or entity to bring, have, keep, or maintain, within the city, at any time, any swarm or swarms, colony or colonies of bees, llamas, roosters, pigeons, turkeys, peafowl, waterfowl, ostriches and other ratitae birds, or livestock on any premises within the city that have not been zoned for agricultural use;
Chickens	Yes, at most 3 chickens. Applies: Residential lots zoned R-L-12, R-L-8 or R-L-5. § 6.10.020 · code text A maximum of three chickens may be kept on a residential lot zoned R-L-12, R-L-8, or R-L-5. Yes, at most 3 chickens. Applies: R-M lots with only one single-family home that meet the city's chicken-keeping rules. § 6.10.020 · code text A maximum of three chickens may be kept on a residential lot zoned R-M that is occupied by one, and no more than one, single-family dwelling. Chickens may not be kept on a property zoned R-M that is occupied by a multi-family dwelling or by more than one single-family dwelling. The lot must comply with Section 6.10.030. No. Applies: Property with any other zoning, unless the zoning code allows it. § 6.10.020 · code text Chickens may not be kept on property with any other zoning designation unless otherwise allowed under Title 17 of this Municipal Code.
Coop setback	At least 10 feet. Applies: Chicken coops and runs, from any property line. § 6.10.030 · code text Be located at least 10 feet from any property line; At least 5 feet. Applies: Chicken coops, from any building people live in. § 6.10.030 · code text Be located at least five feet from any inhabitable building, including, without limitation, main and secondary dwelling structures;
Large animals	Livestock only on property zoned for agricultural use, or at city-approved special events. § 6.08.070 · code text It shall be unlawful for any individual or entity to bring, have, keep, or maintain, within the city, at any time, any swarm or swarms, colony or colonies of bees, llamas, roosters, pigeons, turkeys, peafowl, waterfowl, ostriches and other ratitae birds, or livestock on any premises within the city that have not been zoned for agricultural use; provided however, the keeping of livestock shall be allowed at special events approved by the city, including, without limitation, the Kings County Fair and parades.
Permit	A multi-pet permit is required. Applies: Keeping more than the allowed number or combination of household pets. § 6.12.010 · code text No person shall keep, harbor or maintain upon any premises within the city more than the above specified number and/or combination of animals unless said person shall, except as otherwise provided, obtain a multipet permit

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Hanford's code: Yes, at most 3 chickens. (Residential lots zoned R-L-12, R-L-8 or R-L-5.) (§ 6.10.020); No, bees are not allowed. (Property not zoned for agricultural use.) (§ 6.08.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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