Coop Ready California San Jose
Hens allowed
Yes. San Jose allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.
Hen limit
6 (up to 20 with a permit)
Roosters
Banned
Permit
Only over 6 birds
Coop placement
20 ft from a neighbor's home
Partly reviewed The linked source is the general city code or a summary, not the exact section. Confirm the details with the city.
Read the official San Jose rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in San Jose?
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 Jose rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in San Jose
How many chickens can I have in San Jose?
The hen limit in San Jose: 6 (up to 20 with a permit).
Are roosters allowed in San Jose?
No. San Jose bans roosters on typical home lots.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in San Jose?
The permit rule in San Jose: only over 6 birds.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in San Jose?
Where the coop can go in San Jose: 20 ft from a neighbor's home.
Can my HOA ban chickens if San Jose allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More California cities
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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 Jose before you build.
