Marin County · CA
Can you keep backyard chickens in San Rafael, CA?
Yes. San Rafael allows four female hens without a permit, and you can apply for an administrative permit to keep more (San Rafael Municipal Code 14.17.020). The four-bird allowance is for hens, and the city's sanitary rules apply to any flock (14.17.020 and 6.04.060). San Rafael is the county's largest and most varied city, so whether you're on a flat Canal-district lot or a Sun Valley hillside shapes the build far more than the rule does.
San Rafael, CA · at a glance
- Hens allowed
- 4 female hens without a permit; more with an administrative permit (Muni Code 14.17.020)
- Roosters
- The by-right allowance is for female hens; confirm rooster rules with the city
- Setback
- Confirm for your parcel in your regulatory report
- Permit
- None for up to 4 hens; administrative permit required above that
- HOA
- Check your CC&Rs
Confirmed against San Rafael's municipal code. Your personalized report applies it to your exact parcel. Sources: library.municode.com · San Rafael Municipal Code 14.17.020 and 6.04.060 · sananselmo-ca.granicus.com
San Rafael is Marin's biggest, sunniest, most mixed city, and chicken keeping looks different in every neighborhood. A flat lot near downtown, a hillside in Dominican, a valley parcel in Terra Linda: each one wants a different henhouse and a different shade and drainage plan. That range is exactly what we build for.
Setbacks and placement
The right placement depends entirely on your neighborhood. On the flat Canal-area and downtown lots we focus on drainage and afternoon shade; on the Sun Valley, Dominican and Gerstle Park hillsides we start with a level pad. Coyotes work the open-space edges in the western and northern hills, so a tight, predator-proofed run is non-negotiable up there.
Neighbors
On denser San Rafael lots a quiet flock of hens keeps the peace easily, and the city's sanitary rules make good airflow and regular cleaning more than a courtesy. A rooster, if you're even considering one, is a conversation to have with the city and the neighbors first.
Climate
San Rafael runs warmer and drier than coastal Marin. Inland neighborhoods like Terra Linda, Sun Valley and Gerstle Park can push into the 90s on a late-summer afternoon, so shade and reliable cool water matter here in a way they don't in foggy Mill Valley. Winters are mild and wet.
Predators in San Rafael
The local predators worth planning for are Coyotes, Raccoons, Hawks, Skunks, Bobcats. Every Modern Hen install is built to handle them: half-inch hardware cloth on every opening, a buried apron, a hardware-cloth ceiling and two-step latches a raccoon can't open.
A quick-start checklist
- Keep up to 4 hens with no permit, or apply for an administrative permit for more (Muni Code 14.17.020)
- Read your CC&Rs if you're in an HOA
- Match the build to your lot: drainage and shade on the flats, a level pad on the hills
- Plan heavy shade and water if you're inland in Terra Linda or Sun Valley
- Predator-proof for coyotes and raccoons, especially near the open-space edge
- Meet the city's sanitary rules with good airflow and regular cleaning
Want the exact rules for your address?
We'll read your municipal code and send a plain-language report on what's allowed at your parcel. One email, no follow-ups.