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Sonora · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Sonora

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

What Sonora's code says

Sonora code What Sonora's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes; up to 3 chickens and rabbits combined; no roosters.
    Applies: Lots up to 0.49 acre.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    Up to 0.49 acre | ¼ small non-hoofed animal unit (e.g., 3 chickens; or 2 chickens and one rabbit, or 2 rabbits and one chicken, or 3 rabbits)
  • Yes; up to 1/2 of a small non-hoofed animal unit (1 unit is 12 poultry or rabbits); no roosters.
    Applies: Lots of 0.5 to 0.74 acre.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    0.5 to 0.74 acre | ½ small non-hoofed animal unit
  • Yes; up to 3/4 of a small non-hoofed animal unit (1 unit is 12 poultry or rabbits); no roosters.
    Applies: Lots of 0.75 to 0.99 acre.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    0.75 to 0.99 acre | ¾ small non-hoofed animal unit
  • Yes; 1 small non-hoofed animal unit (12 poultry or rabbits) per acre, up to 24 animals per lot; no roosters.
    Applies: Lots of 1.0 acre or more.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    1.0 acre and above | 1 large hoofed animal unit/a/ per 1 acre or 1 small hoofed animal unit per acre plus 1 small non-hoofed animal unit per 1 acre - up to a maximum of 24 small non-hoofed animals on any single parcel
Large animals
  • Allowed at 1 large hoofed animal unit per acre.
    Applies: Lots of 1.0 acre or more.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    1.0 acre and above | 1 large hoofed animal unit/a/ per 1 acre or 1 small hoofed animal unit per acre plus 1 small non-hoofed animal unit per 1 acre - up to a maximum of 24 small non-hoofed animals on any single parcel
  • 1 small hoofed animal unit (2 sheep or 2 goats) per acre.
    Applies: Lots of 1.0 acre or more.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    1.0 acre and above | 1 large hoofed animal unit/a/ per 1 acre or 1 small hoofed animal unit per acre plus 1 small non-hoofed animal unit per 1 acre - up to a maximum of 24 small non-hoofed animals on any single parcel
  • Stalls, barns, sheds, corrals and other livestock structures at least 25 feet from the property line.
    Applies: Structures for keeping hoofed livestock.
    § 17.77.020 · code text
    Setbacks for stalls, barns, sheds, corrals or other livestock keeping structures shall be a minimum of twenty-five feet from the property line.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Sonora's code: Yes; up to 3 chickens and rabbits combined; no roosters. (Lots up to 0.49 acre.) (§ 17.77.020); Yes; up to 1/2 of a small non-hoofed animal unit (1 unit is 12 poultry or rabbits); no roosters. (Lots of 0.5 to 0.74 acre.) (§ 17.77.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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Sonora Municipal Code — full text