Backyard Chickens in the Conejo Valley: What Homeowners Should Know
The Lydia Gable Realty Group at Compass recently sold a home on Cornell Road in Agoura Hills that included chickens and a chicken coop. The buyers were thrilled, as having chickens was one of the many selling points for them of this unique, gated property.
If you’ve been daydreaming about fresh eggs, composting coop buddies, or teaching kids about animal care, raising backyard chickens can be rewarding. But before you bring home your first feathered friend, it’s important to understand local rules, zoning, and community expectations in the Conejo Valley.
People in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Newbury Park, and Ventura County at large are actively researching whether they can have backyard chickens. Zoning rules, coop permits, and animal ordinances are high on the trending list of searches for current and future homeowners, driven by:
🥚 Desire for fresh, local eggs
🌱 Urban homesteading trends
🐓 Sustainability and backyard farming
Whether you’re already a homeowner or thinking about buying a place where chickens might be allowed, this guide will help you navigate the rules and trends around backyard flock keeping. Specific rules can vary a lot depending on what city or county you live, whether you have an HOA, and your property’s size and zoning.
🏘 Neighborhoods & HOA Rules
One of the biggest unseen hurdles for backyard chickens isn’t the city — it’s Homeowners Associations (HOAs). And we have many HOAs and planned developments here in the Conejo Valley. Neighborhoods without an HOA tend to be the older, established sections.
Even if your city allows chickens, HOA covenants (CC&Rs) can prohibit any livestock including chickens — and HOA rules legally override city permissions. Here’s the reality:
📌 Some neighborhoods (like Wildwood or Meadowwood) are said to have no HOA and may have fewer restrictions.
📌Homeowners in equestrian areas like Old Agoura, Hidden Valley, and Lynn Ranch often have chickens on their property.
📌 In strict HOA communities, keeping chickens could lead to fines or forced removal. Always check your HOA documents first before buying chicks!
📜 City & County Rules You Need to Know
🐣 Ventura County (Unincorporated Areas)
If your home is outside city limits but still in Ventura County, the County’s zoning rules apply:
Minimum lot size: Typically 10,000 sq ft for animal husbandry (may be 20,000 sq ft in mixed residential/business zones). Chickens are not allowed in R2 zones. (Ventura County Public Works Agency)
Setbacks: Coops and poultry must usually be kept away from neighbors’ houses (often ~40 feet), which helps control odors/noise. (Ventura County Public Works Agency)
If you live in an unincorporated area, you’ll need to check county zoning before planning a flock.
🐔 Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks’ municipal code has historically treated fowl (including chickens) specially, requiring that they not be housed closer than 40 feet from residences or other structures not owned by you. If you want to keep chickens, you must meet requirements and often apply for approval from city planning. City authorization is needed, and neighbors usually have to be notified as part of the permit process. (American Legal Publishing)
🐓 Westlake Village
Many lots in Westlake will not qualify. Westlake Village is said to only allow:
Chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks and peafowl only on parcels 15,000 sq ft or larger (Conejo Valley Guide)
🏡 Agoura Hills
Agoura Hills’ municipal code includes a broader livestock section where keeping chickens and poultry must comply with standards, including:
Maximum birds per parcel
Setbacks (35+ feet from structures)
Nuisance and health controls
You must obtain a permit before keeping live fowl. (agourahillscity.gov)
In many Agoura Hills neighborhoods, you’ll want to talk to City Planning or Code Compliance first — rules are enforced when someone complains or when you apply for a permit. (agourahillscity.gov)
🪶 Other Conejo Valley Cities
The important step after checking HOA/ CC&Rs is to consult your local zoning map and ask planning staff so you know if your parcel’s designation allows livestock like chickens.
🏙 Zoning Matters
Most California cities treat backyard chickens as an accessory use to the home — meaning they’re allowed only if your property’s zoning permits it (e.g., single-family residential, agricultural residential, or special animal overlay zones).
Zoning determines:
Whether poultry is allowed at all
How many chickens you can keep
Setbacks from structures or property lines
Whether roosters are permitted or banned
Whether a permit or neighbor consent is required
Check your zoning designation on the city or county planning site before planning a coop.
👪 Community Matters
There are local online spaces where people in the Conejo Valley + Ventura County area talk about backyard chickens, fresh eggs, and sometimes even share or trade eggs!
“Conejo Valley Backyard Chickens and Homesteading” — A regional Facebook group focused on raising chickens and other homesteading topics.
“Ventura County Poultry People” — Another Facebook group dedicated to poultry enthusiasts in Ventura County. People here often share about chicks, laying hens, and egg color genetics — and it’s a good place to connect with neighbors who might have eggs available.
Local Farmers Markets — Many people selling eggs at markets also network with neighbors for off-season or weekly orders.
“EggsNearby.com” — A national listings site where farmers can advertise eggs and related items by location. You can set your area to Southern California and search for sellers near Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Agoura Hills, etc.
✔️ Practical Tips Before You Decide
Here’s a quick checklist before you build that coop:
✅ Review your HOA covenants — these often trump city rules.
✅ Verify your property zoning (R-1, Agricultural, Overlay, etc.).
✅ Check your city & county ordinances with Planning or Animal Control.
✅ Review setback requirements — they can be 30–40+ feet!
✅ Ask neighbors and get consent if required — many cities require this for permits. Decide how you’ll manage noise and odor so you stay a good neighbor.
✅ Plan for coop size, sanitation, and predator protection. Budget for annual costs. Talk to other chicken coop owners for the pros and cons to be aware of.
🥚 Final Thoughts
Raising backyard chickens in the Conejo Valley can be a delightful experience — with fresh eggs and a fun small-scale farming vibe! Just remember the key pillars of success in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park / Newbury Park and Ventura County:
📍 Know your area’s rules
📄 Follow zoning and permit steps
👨👩👧👦 Respect neighbors and HOA rules
🐓 Plan a safe, well-designed coop
