Pets, chickens and bees in Newark: the local rules

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

What Newark's code says

Newark code What Newark's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 4 hens without a permit; more requires an animal fancier's permit. Applies: Applies to any parcel used mainly for residential purposes. § 6.32.010 · code text More than four hen chickens, or more than eight bantam chickens, or more than three cats or more than three dogs, or more than two of any other pet species.
Coop setback	At least 40 feet from any parcel line or home on the same parcel. Applies: Applies to stalls, barns, corrals, pens, paddocks and exercise areas for livestock. § 6.32.020 · code text shall not be closer than forty feet from any parcel line or dwelling on the same parcel
Large animals	Not on parcels under 1/2 acre; on larger parcels, numbers follow the animal fancier's permit conditions. Applies: Applies to horses, ponies, donkeys, burros, cows, steers, sheep and goats. § 6.32.020 · code text No horses, ponies, donkeys, burros, cows, steers, sheep or goats may be kept on a parcel less than one-half acre in size. The number of animals permitted on larger parcels shall be subject to the animal fancier's permit process and conditions established by the animal control officer.
Permit	An animal fancier's permit is required. Applies: Any rooster, over 4 hens, 8 bantams, 3 cats, 3 dogs, or 2 of another pet species, or over 10 animals combined. § 6.32.010 · code text An animal fancier's permit shall be obtained for: 1. Any rooster; 2. More than four hen chickens, or more than eight bantam chickens, or more than three cats or more than three dogs, or more than two of any other pet species.
Pet limit	Up to 3 dogs and 3 cats; more needs an animal fancier's permit; no more than 10 animals in all. Applies: Applies to any parcel used mainly for residential purposes. § 6.32.010 · code text More than four hen chickens, or more than eight bantam chickens, or more than three cats or more than three dogs, or more than two of any other pet species.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Newark's code: Yes, up to 4 hens without a permit; more requires an animal fancier's permit. (Applies to any parcel used mainly for residential purposes.) (§ 6.32.010); At least 40 feet from any parcel line or home on the same parcel. (Applies to stalls, barns, corrals, pens, paddocks and exercise areas for livestock.) (§ 6.32.020).

Pets, chickens and bees in Newark

What Newark's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Newark property

More on building on your lot in Newark