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Oakland · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Oakland

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

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

What Oakland's code says

Oakland code What Oakland's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes, if the enclosure is more than 20 feet from any home, church or school; no roosters.
    Applies: Not on property with an apartment house or hotel, or in a business district.
    § 6.04.320 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to keep any ducks, geese, chickens or other fowls in any enclosure in the City unless the exterior boundaries of said enclosures are more than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, church or school.
  • No.
    Applies: Applies to property with an apartment house or hotel, or in a business district.
    § 6.04.290 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to raise, or keep, live chickens, ducks, geese or other fowl in any enclosure or yard on property occupied by an apartment house or hotel or in a business district in the City, except when such fowl or animals are kept within a bona fide produce market, commission house or store for purposes of trade and, while so kept, are confined in small coops, boxes or cages.
Coop setback
  • More than 20 feet from any home, church or school.
    Applies: Applies to enclosures with ducks, geese, chickens or other fowl.
    § 6.04.320 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to keep any ducks, geese, chickens or other fowls in any enclosure in the City unless the exterior boundaries of said enclosures are more than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, church or school.
Pet limit
  • No more than 3 dogs over 4 months old, unless the owner shows adequate space and no nuisance.
    Applies: Per premises.
    § 6.04.400 · code text
    A. Except as provided in Subsection (B) below, it is unlawful for any person to keep on any one (1) premises more than three (3) dogs more than four (4) months old, unless the owner can demonstrate that the premises provides adequate space and the keeping of such dogs does not constitute a nuisance or pose a threat to the health or safety of the dogs.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Oakland's code: Yes, if the enclosure is more than 20 feet from any home, church or school; no roosters. (Not on property with an apartment house or hotel, or in a business district.) (§ 6.04.320); No. (Applies to property with an apartment house or hotel, or in a business district.) (§ 6.04.290).

General information, not legal advice.

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