Commission On Roosters 🐓
September 8, 2025 Planning Commission Workshop on Crowing Fowl
Workshop Purpose: Seek feedback from the Planning Commission and the public on the proposed amendments to the Zoning Code and County Code pertaining to crowing fowl – specifically roosters.
Zoning Code Amendments: Proposed changes include limiting the number of roosters per property and increasing minimum lot sizes for their keeping to mitigate noise and health concerns.
County Code Updates: The amendments aim to further address illegal cockfighting and the humane keeping of roosters by clarifying definitions, prohibit tethering, and establish housing standards for roosters.
Permit Requirements: New permitting processes are being considered for non-commercial rooster keeping in single family residential zones and to allow hobbyists/exhibitors to have a larger number of roosters than would otherwise be allowed.
Community Coordination: Staff have coordinated with agricultural organizations to ensure concerns about illegal operations are addressed without imposing additional requirements on commercial farmers and other legitimate businesses.
Next Steps: Following public feedback, the draft amendments will be finalized for consideration by the County Planning Commission and final action by the Board of Supervisors later this year.
The Zoning Code Update is specific to the incidental keeping of roosters and does not affect provisions for egg laying fowl or other types of fowl that are considered crowing (ducks, geese, guinea fowl and peacocks). The proposed Zoning Ordinance update does not affect commercial agricultural operations; it also eliminates the permit requirements (minor use permit) for educational program participants such as 4H and FFA .
