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

Vallejo's code: Yes, up to 10 chickens regardless of lot size. (Residential lots; in a securely fenced rear yard with a coop and pen; no roosters.) (§ 16.306.02); Yes, up to 3 colonies. (Per lot; transient swarms may be kept temporarily for no more than 45 days.) (§ 7.38.030).

Pets, chickens and bees in Vallejo: the local rules

Vallejo code What Vallejo's code adds
Bees	Yes, up to 3 colonies. Applies: Per lot; transient swarms may be kept temporarily for no more than 45 days. § 7.38.030 · code text Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no more than three colonies may be kept, maintained or permitted on any lot or parcel of land except that transient swarms may be temporarily maintained for a period not to exceed forty-five days. Hives at least 10 feet from occupied neighbors' side or rear lines and 40 feet from the front line. Applies: The 10-foot setback applies when the neighboring property is occupied; a zoning administrator variance can change setbacks. § 7.38.030 · code text Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no hives or colonies shall be located within ten feet of any rear or side property line when the adjoining property is occupied or within forty feet of the front property line, which property line for purposes of this subsection shall be defined as the sidewalk boundary line furthest from the street. Yes; each colony must be registered with the county agricultural commissioner. Applies: Applies to all beekeeping. § 7.38.020 · code text Each colony shall be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.
Chickens	Yes, up to 10 chickens regardless of lot size. Applies: Residential lots; in a securely fenced rear yard with a coop and pen; no roosters. § 16.306.02 · code text \| Chickens \| 10 regardless of lot size \|
Coop setback	At least 5 feet away. Applies: Distance from hen coops to side or rear property lines. § 16.306.02 · code text Coops for keeping of hens shall be set back a minimum of five feet from side or rear property lines. At least 20 feet away. Applies: Distance from hen coops to homes on neighboring properties. § 16.306.02 · code text Coops shall be located a minimum of twenty feet from habitable structures on adjacent properties; greater distances are encouraged where practicable.
Large animals	Up to 3 goats, sheep or similar animals per 20,000 square feet. Applies: On residential lots or with residential uses. § 16.306.02 · code text \| Goats, sheep, or similar \| 3 per 20,000 sq. ft. \| Cattle, horses, mules or burros are banned, except where zoning allows animal raising, agriculture or animal sales. § 7.24.055 · code text Animal raising as defined in Section 16.06.590 may occur in the rural residential district with the appropriate permits and in adherence to applicable standards as set forth in Chapter 16.12.
Permit	A variance from the zoning administrator. Applies: Needed for extra bee colonies or changed hive setbacks. § 7.38.030 · code text Variances authorizing exceptions to subsections A and B of this section and thereby allowing additional colonies or modified setback distances may be granted by the zoning administrator upon written request therefor by a beekeeper.
Pet limit	8 animals total; no more than 4 dogs, 4 cats and 1 pot-bellied pig. Applies: Any lot in a residential zone, or with a residential use in another zone. § 16.306.02 · code text On any lot in a residential zoning district, or in conjunction with any residential use in any other district, a total of eight animals (domestic or exotic) may be kept on one lot, of which not more than four may be dogs, and four cats and not more than one may be a pot-bellied pig.

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