Mobile Chicken Tractor
Fully enclosedFully enclosed mobile coop. Lets hens forage fresh ground while staying contained for cities that require pens, coops, or runs.
Why it fits: Fully enclosed
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Compare on Amazon →Backyard Chickens in Sacramento, California
Chickens are legal in Sacramento — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Sacramento, California?
Yes — subject to local rules
- Hen limit
- Up to 3 hens
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Permit
- Required — $15 annual license per chicken + $30 annual coop permit
- Setback
- Coop/enclosure must be at least 20 ft from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel
- Zoning
- Hens must be confined in a pen, coop, cage, or enclosure at all times; rear yard only
Last verified: May 2026
View Sacramento ordinance ↗Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
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What the Sacramento Rules Say
Sacramento allows a maximum of three hen chickens on a developed residential lot, but only with the required permit. Roosters are prohibited on residential lots.
The code requires hens to be confined in a pen, coop, cage, or other enclosure at all times. The enclosure must be in the rear yard and at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel. Hens may not be kept in the front yard, may not create a noise disturbance audible on an adjoining lot, and may not be slaughtered on the property.
The city’s poultry license page lists an annual chicken license and annual coop permit.
What This Means in Plain English
Sacramento is friendly to very small flocks, but it is a permit-and-license city. Plan around three hens, no roosters, a rear-yard coop, and a 20-foot neighbor-dwelling setback.
Getting Started
- Measure the rear-yard coop site from neighboring dwelling units.
- Apply for the poultry license and coop permit.
- Keep hens enclosed at all times.
- Do not keep roosters.
- Clean the coop frequently to prevent odor and pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Sacramento, CA?
Yes. Sacramento allows up to three hens on eligible residential lots with the required permit and licensing.
Are roosters allowed in Sacramento?
No. Roosters are prohibited on developed residential lots.
Matched next steps
Recommended Setup for Sacramento's Rules
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1/2-Inch Hardware Cloth
Predator proofingPredator-resistant mesh for runs, vents, and coop skirts. Better than chicken wire for raccoons, snakes, and loose dogs.
Why it fits: Predator proofing
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Warm climateHigher-capacity waterer for warm climates and larger legal flock limits. Useful where heat makes daily water checks essential.
Why it fits: Warm climate
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After checking the rules
Next Steps for Sacramento Chicken Keepers
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Sacramento's municipal code in May 2026. Ordinances change — always confirm current rules with your local city clerk before purchasing birds or building a coop.
View Sacramento Municipal Code ↗Get Backyard Chicken Updates for California
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