Planning commission holds workshop on proposed rooster regulations; public urges narrow, humane approach

The Sacramento County Planning Commission on Sept. 8 held a workshop on proposed zoning and county code updates intended to address problems associated with roosters and other crowing fowl. Staff presented a draft that would target roosters specifically rather than broadly regulate all crowing fowl.

Yong Choi, associate planner with Planning and Environmental Review, said staff received recurring complaints about roosters, including noise, nuisance and association with illegal cockfighting. Choi described the draft as an effort to separate incidental backyard keeping from commercial agriculture and to provide a compliance path for existing, lawful breeders. "We wanted to do more targeted regulation, so it was determined that the rooster would be what we would be amending the most," Choi said.

Key elements outlined by staff included increasing the minimum lot size for roosters from 10,000 square feet to 14,520 square feet (one-third acre) per rooster; permitting up to five roosters on properties in agricultural zones; a temporary use permit to allow up to two roosters on single-family residential lots (RD-1 through RD-10); and revised enforcement authority to allow the planning director to enforce the rooster provisions in the zoning code. Choi said the county would continue to support agricultural education programs such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America; staff proposed removing the current minor use permit requirement for those education programs. Hobbyist breeders and lawful exhibitors were proposed to be covered by a minor use permit, although staff said they were open to downgrading those to temporary use permits because of concerns about cost.

Annette Bedford, director of Animal Care Services, told commissioners the department’s primary objective is humane treatment. "I'm here for the humane side of the roosters, and we're trying to eliminate the raising of roosters for cockfighting," Bedford said. She said tethering is a particular humane concern and described examples of animals tethered in ways consistent with training for fighting. Bedford said the department sometimes works with the sheriff’s office on criminal enforcement related to cockfighting and that criminal charges remain appropriate when evidence of inhumane treatment or fighting exists.

Staff provided estimated permit fees during question-and-answer: a temporary use permit at approximately $290 and a minor use permit around $1,300; a certificate of nonconforming use would generally carry a fee similar to a minor use permit, though staff said the Board of Supervisors has in other cases waived that fee for people who voluntarily come forward. Staff proposed a 3-month compliance period from ordinance adoption for existing properties to apply for a certificate of nonconforming use or come into compliance; staff said they would consider outreach and additional notification methods to give property owners adequate notice.

Several members of the public spoke. Carol Lee, who identified herself as living on 10 acres and said her son raises show poultry, warned a strict prohibition on numbers could harm legitimate hobbyists and breeders who rely on multiple roosters to maintain genetic diversity. "Every breed needs multiple roosters to prevent genetic inbreeding," Lee said. Speakers who run rescues and rehoming operations in Fair Oaks said they already see frequent abandonment of roosters; one speaker said her rescue and volunteers had rehomed more than 220 roosters since 2020 and cautioned that stricter restrictions could increase abandonment. Other speakers urged the county to emphasize anti-cruelty measures, forbid tethering and focus enforcement on criminal cockfighting operations rather than penalizing small-scale hobbyists and culturally based owners.

Commissioners and staff discussed questions about enforcement, fees, cultural and religious exemptions and outreach to agricultural communities such as Rio Linda. Staff said code enforcement usually seeks voluntary compliance and that confiscation typically occurs only where inhumane conditions or criminal activity is documented. Staff also noted that current zoning allows large numbers of birds on lots larger than 10,000 square feet, which has enabled some concentrated operations that neighbors have complained about.

Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach and to provide additional information, including enforcement practice, fee structure, potential financial relief, and possible accommodations for cultural or educational uses. Staff said the item would return for additional review: outreach to community planning advisory councils and the Agricultural Advisory Committee is planned, with the commission targeted to consider a recommendation on Nov. 3, 2025, and staff targeting a Board of Supervisors hearing by the end of the year.

The workshop did not include formal action; the commission sought public input and staff feedback for ordinance refinement.