Despite other reviews saying that this post is false, the limits set out in the original post are those established by Sonoma County Code of Ordinances 26-18-080, available here: https://library.municode.com/ca/son...26SOCOZORE_ART18AGRESEUSST_S26-18-080ANKEFAAN.
Go to Chapter 26, Article 18, and scroll down to "Sec. 26-18-080 - Animal Keeping: Farm animals." However, the original poster does not mention that the limits described in that section, apply only to certain parcels of certain sizes, within certain zones. Specifically, the limits posted "apply only to parcels: 2 acres or less in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and PCRR zones; and 5 acres or less in the RR zone." Moreover, the municipal code of Sonoma County applies to unincorporated Sonoma County, but incorporated cites may provide overriding rules and regulations. The town of Sonoma, and Santa Rosa, for example, may have separate regulations. In addition, in residential-zoned areas of unincorporated Sonoma County, the keeping of farm animals is generally prohibited completely. (you can see the permitted and prohibitted uses within the residential zones at the same link, at Sec. 26-08-030. However, Section 26-18-080 of the municipal code for unincorporated Sonoma County specifically provides that in the R1 zone (which is the low-density residential zone), "raising, feeding, and maintaining of up to six (6) hens is allowed." It provides further that "Hens must have access to [a] chicken coop and contained within a secure enclosure which prevents animal trespass. The coop and pen shall be located in the rear yard of the property and maintained in a sanitary condition." (look at the last regulation within Sec. 26-18-080: "Hens in R1 Zone.").
Thus, it appears that in unincorporated Sonoma county, whether you can have chickens, and how many, depends on the zoning of your property. In certain rural zones, the keeping of chickens is permitted, but if your parcel is 2 acres or less in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and PCRR zones, or if you have 5 acres or less in the RR zone, then you are allowed only up to 50 chickens. If you live in an R1 zone, you may have 6 hens but no roosters. If you live in R2 or R3 zones (which are more densley populated residential zones), then it appears you may not have any chickens at all.
Go to Chapter 26, Article 18, and scroll down to "Sec. 26-18-080 - Animal Keeping: Farm animals." However, the original poster does not mention that the limits described in that section, apply only to certain parcels of certain sizes, within certain zones. Specifically, the limits posted "apply only to parcels: 2 acres or less in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and PCRR zones; and 5 acres or less in the RR zone." Moreover, the municipal code of Sonoma County applies to unincorporated Sonoma County, but incorporated cites may provide overriding rules and regulations. The town of Sonoma, and Santa Rosa, for example, may have separate regulations. In addition, in residential-zoned areas of unincorporated Sonoma County, the keeping of farm animals is generally prohibited completely. (you can see the permitted and prohibitted uses within the residential zones at the same link, at Sec. 26-08-030. However, Section 26-18-080 of the municipal code for unincorporated Sonoma County specifically provides that in the R1 zone (which is the low-density residential zone), "raising, feeding, and maintaining of up to six (6) hens is allowed." It provides further that "Hens must have access to [a] chicken coop and contained within a secure enclosure which prevents animal trespass. The coop and pen shall be located in the rear yard of the property and maintained in a sanitary condition." (look at the last regulation within Sec. 26-18-080: "Hens in R1 Zone.").
Thus, it appears that in unincorporated Sonoma county, whether you can have chickens, and how many, depends on the zoning of your property. In certain rural zones, the keeping of chickens is permitted, but if your parcel is 2 acres or less in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and PCRR zones, or if you have 5 acres or less in the RR zone, then you are allowed only up to 50 chickens. If you live in an R1 zone, you may have 6 hens but no roosters. If you live in R2 or R3 zones (which are more densley populated residential zones), then it appears you may not have any chickens at all.
