Coop Ready California San Francisco
Hens allowed
Yes. San Francisco allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.
Hen limit
4 animals total
Roosters
Not stated
Permit
Coop approval
Coop placement
20 ft from doors and windows of homes
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official San Francisco rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in San Francisco?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the San Francisco rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in San Francisco
How many chickens can I have in San Francisco?
The hen limit in San Francisco: 4 animals total.
Are roosters allowed in San Francisco?
San Francisco's Health Code does not name roosters. A rooster counts toward the limit of four small animals and poultry, and the code's barking rule covers dogs only.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in San Francisco?
The permit rule in San Francisco: coop approval.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in San Francisco?
Where the coop can go in San Francisco: 20 ft from doors and windows of homes.
Can my HOA ban chickens if San Francisco allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More California cities
- Anaheim, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Elk Grove, CA
- Escondido, CA
- Folsom, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Modesto, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Riverside, CA
- Roseville, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Stockton, CA
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with San Francisco before you build.
