Learn about what you can raise in your area
Can you keep chickens in your backyard? Bees? Pygmy goats? Zoning rules and regulations about the care or breeding of animals in residential and agricultural zones vary:
CHECK THE CODES
In unincorporated areas, check with the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (planning.lacounty.gov/luz). For information about L.A. County land use codes, select “Helpful Links.” Go to “L.A. County Code” and visit “Title 10 — Animals” for information about animal control, health and miscellaneous regulations. For information about permitted land use for residences, select “Helpful Links,” and visit “Title 22 Planning and Zoning.” Then, select “Division 1 Planning and Zoning,” “Chapter 22.20 Residential Zones” and section “22.20.070” of “Part 2 R-1 Single Family Residence Zone.”
In an incorporated city, check with your city hall or call 311 and ask for the department that handles small farm animals on residential property. Specific city laws supersede county laws, so check out your city’s website and ask questions.
JURISDICTION ISSUES
Are you unclear about which jurisdiction has say over your property? Visit the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning’s Z-Net tool (planning.lacounty.gov/znet). Select your community in the drop-down menu. Find the “Search” box. Then enter an address, assessor parcel number or street intersection in the search box for information about your home’s zone. For additional information, call (213) 974-6411 or email zoning ldcc@planning.lacounty.gov to get in touch with a planner.
ZONING IN L.A.
In the city of Los Angeles, for more information about land use and zoning and livestock or for distance requirements with regard to sheltering livestock animals on your property, call Los Angeles Animal Services at (888) 452-7381 or visit www.la animalservices.com. For email, visit the site’s “contact us” area.
GOATS AND CHICKENS
For information about keeping goats or chickens on your property and general animal control concerns in L.A. County, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control website (animal care.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/acc) or call (562) 940-6898. For email, visit the site’s “contact us” area.
BEEKEEPING
For information about beekeeping and registering your hive, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner at (626) 575-5451; (562) 622-0402; (661) 974-8801. Or you can visit acwm.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/acwm and select “Business Operators” and “Pest Control Operators.” Then, select “more” and scroll down to the “apiary registration” or email env prot@acwm.lacounty.gov.
INSURANCE
Finally, don’t forget to read your homeowners insurance policy to see if it covers any potential risks or damage caused by backyard critters.