Backyard chickens in Palo Alto

Palo Alto grew up among orchards and small farms. Backyard hens are still legal here today. The city's rules are not complicated, but they are stricter than many new owners assume. Chickens count as livestock, so they need a permit. Coop placement depends on how close your neighbors live.

This page summarizes Chapter 6.20 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code as published in fall 2026 and what the city's Animal Control page adds. It is a plain-language guide, not legal advice. Read the code itself and talk to Animal Control before you buy birds. For dogs, cats and pet licensing, see our pets guide.

You need a permit

Section 6.20.080 says no one may keep livestock in the city, outside the agricultural zone or an open space declared area, without first getting a permit. The section names the animals it covers. Chickens are on the list along with ducks, quail, pheasants, turkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, cows, llamas and mules.

The city's Animal Control page describes the process:

1. Submit a permit application to Animal Control.
2. An Animal Control officer inspects the setup.
3. The permit is issued after the inspection passes and the fee is paid.

The page says fees vary by permit type and refers to the city's Municipal Fee Schedule. Fees change with each fiscal year, so ask for the current amount. Animal Control is part of the Palo Alto Police Department and works from the shelter building at 3281 East Bayshore Road. Its 24-hour dispatch line is (650) 329-2413 and non-urgent email goes to [email protected]. Our animal shelter guide explains how the shelter and Animal Control divide the work.

How many birds and which kinds

Section 6.20.090 sets the limits for birds, goats, pigs and rabbits. Outside the agricultural zone and open space declared areas, which covers nearly every residential lot in the flatlands:

Note that the six-animal limit counts birds and rabbits together. Four hens and two rabbits is the full allowance without neighbor consent. Animal Control's own summary leaves no room on roosters: none are allowed. Chicks sold as straight run, meaning unsexed, can turn out to be roosters, so buy sexed pullets from a reputable hatchery or feed store and have a plan to rehome any males.

Where the coop can go

Distance rules are the part that most often decides whether a flock is possible on a small lot.

• From homes and businesses: housing and runs must be at least 25 feet from any occupied dwelling or business unless its occupant consents in writing. That includes your neighbors' homes.
• From property lines: a coop or run within 25 feet of a property line needs the unanimous written consent of the adjacent neighbors who live there, whether owners or tenants.
• Renewal: Animal Control says neighbor permission for coops within 25 feet of a property line must be renewed every five years.

On a typical 6,000 square foot Palo Alto lot, nearly every spot is within 25 feet of some property line, so in practice most flocks rely on neighbor consent. Ask early, put it in writing with names and addresses and keep copies with your permit. New neighbors move in; the five-year renewal is a good moment to introduce yourself and the hens.

A coop is usually small enough to need no building permit, but a large structure, electrical work for lights or heaters or anything near a protected tree may trigger review. Our building permits guide explains who to ask.

Housing and cleaning rules

The code also sets standards for how birds are kept:

• Birds may not roam off your property.
• They must be shut in a suitable coop or house after sundown.
• Housing, runs and any area the birds use must be kept clean, cleaned at least once a week and free of offensive odors and flies.
• Housing must be whitewashed or painted at least once a year, or more often if needed.

Section 6.20.040 separately bars animals from creating a nuisance. Noise, smell and flies are the usual complaints. Hens cackle after laying, so place the coop where the noise carries least toward bedroom windows.

Predators, rats and wild birds

Locking the coop at dusk is not only a legal requirement. Raccoons, skunks, opossums and coyotes all live in Palo Alto. The city's Animal Control page says it does not trap or relocate raccoons, opossums, skunks or squirrels. Coyotes are not trapped either; report aggressive, sick or injured ones to dispatch at (650) 329-2413.

• Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire, on runs and bury it a foot down or lay an apron outward to stop digging.
• Store feed in metal bins with tight lids. Spilled feed is the main reason chicken keepers get rats.
• Collect eggs daily and remove uneaten kitchen scraps by evening.
• Keep wild birds away from feeders and water, since they can carry avian influenza.

Rodent problems can be reported to the Santa Clara County Vector Control District for a free inspection and advice, covered in our pest and vector control guide.

Health and bird flu

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has circulated in wild birds and poultry across California in recent years. State and federal agriculture officials ask backyard flock owners to keep birds away from wild waterfowl, wash hands and change shoes after coop chores and report sudden deaths or sick birds. Palo Alto sits next to the Baylands, a major stop for migrating ducks and shorebirds, so take that advice seriously in fall and winter.

Not every vet treats chickens. Our exotic and bird vets guide lists avian clinics near Palo Alto; call ahead to ask whether they see backyard poultry. Wash eggs only just before use and refrigerate them. Wash hands after handling birds, since poultry can carry salmonella without looking sick.

A checklist before you buy hens

1. Measure where a coop can sit and check the 25-foot distances.
2. Talk to adjacent neighbors and get written consent if you need it.
3. Ask Animal Control for the permit application and current fee.
4. Build or buy a predator-proof coop and run.
5. Pass the inspection and get the permit.
6. Buy sexed pullets and no more than the limit allows.

If you rent, get the landlord's permission in writing too. Our renting guide covers lease basics. And if you are thinking about bees as well, the city's rules for hives are different; see our beekeeping guide.

Frequently asked questions