TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning Building & Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Akenya Robinson-Webb, Code Compliance Manager
SUBJECT: An Ordinance amending Napa County Code Chapter 6.18 (Keeping of Roosters) and Section 18.08.040 (Agriculture) of Chapter 18.08 (Definitions)
RECOMMENDATION
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Introduction and intent to adopt an Ordinance of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, State of California, amending Napa County Code Chapter 6.18 (Keeping of Roosters) to address concerns regarding cockfighting and avian disease and Section 18.08.040 (Agriculture) of Chapter 18.08 (Definitions) relating to the raising and keeping of roosters. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
In 2013, the Napa County Board of Supervisors adopted Chapter 6.18 (Keeping of Roosters) of the Napa County Code to regulate the keeping of roosters within unincorporated Napa County. The purpose of that ordinance was to eliminate the potential for public nuisance, and for the protection of the health and safety of the residents of Napa County residents. However, the large numbers of roosters that are allowed under the current ordinance have created challenges for the County to effectively address ongoing concerns related to illegal cockfighting operations, avian influenza, and quality of life for Napa County Residents.
Cockfighting is a form of animal cruelty in which roosters are forced to fight, often to the death, with sharpened metal implements attached to their legs. In addition to being illegal under state law, cockfighting operations are often linked to other criminal activities such as drug trafficking, illegal gambling, firearm offenses, and violence against individuals. The current ordinance allows for significantly more roosters than neighboring jurisdictions or nearby towns such as Solano, American Canyon, Marin, and Sonoma. As a result, Napa may be unintentionally attracting individuals engaged in illegal cockfighting operations.
Avian influenza is a viral infection affecting the domestic and wild birds. Outbreaks of avian influenza can have a devastating and deadly impact on poultry farms throughout California, wiping out entire flocks within a matter of days.
In addition, large scale rooster-keeping facility impacts can extend beyond property lines and adversely affect the quality of life of nearby residents. Rooster-keeping facilities, especially when operated on a commercial or semi-commercial scale, can create waste management and runoff concerns when located near streams, creeks, or other environmentally sensitive areas.
Proposed Amendments to Chapter 6.18 (Keeping of Rooster) and Section 18.08.040 (Agriculture)
The proposed ordinance amends several sections of Chapter 6.18 (Keeping of Roosters) and Section 18.08.040 (Agriculture) of the Napa County Code.
More specifically, the following modifications have been identified for the Board’s consideration:
• Amending Section 6.18.010 (Purpose) to clarify the County’s goal to eliminate illegal cockfighting and the raising of birds to be used for cockfighting;
• Amending Section 6.18.020 (Definitions) to change the definition of “Rooster” to include any male chicken six months or older, instead of twelve months or older, to ensure enforceability and consistency with common poultry management standards;
• Amending Section 6.18.030 (Rooster Keeping) as follows:
o Reducing the number of roosters on a parcel from 25 per acre, a maximum of 100 per parcel, to a maximum of 4 roosters per parcel in accordance with the following schedule:
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Parcel Size |
Max. No. of Roosters |
|
Less than 0.5 acres |
0 roosters |
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0.5 acres to 1.5 acres |
1 rooster |
|
Greater than 1.5 acres |
4 roosters |
o Moving the language about an exemption into its own section;
o Removing the April 15, 2014, effective date of the rooster limit to avoid confusion;
o Clarifying that rooster enclosures shall have a minimum set back from residences on adjacent parcels;
o Moving the prohibition on tethering of roosters from Section 6.18.040 to this section so that all rooster keeping requirements are set forth in one section;
o Removing the requirement for the Agricultural Commissioner to establish written standards to carry out the intent of this Chapter because the required standards are already presented in this Section.
• Removing section 6.18.040 because it is added to 6.18.030;
• Adding a Section 6.18.045 to discuss the exemption from 6.18.030A and setting out the details of the exemption process for legitimate entities such as agricultural producers, schools, animal shelters, 4-H and FFA programs, and individuals owning or breeding poultry for lawful exhibitions;
• Amending the language in 6.18.050 regarding enforcement pursuant to Chapters 1.20 and 1.28 of the Napa County Code; and
• Updating the section on rooster keeping in Section 18.08.040 (Agriculture) to ensure consistency with the updated the limits being proposed in Chapter 6.18.
Stakeholder Interest/Community Outreach
The County has received complaints regarding ongoing issues related to excessive noise, odor, sanitation, and other nuisance conditions stemming from the keeping of large numbers of roosters such as waste management and runoff concerns. The County has also received complaints regarding illegal cockfighting in the unincorporated areas of Napa County.
On October 20, 2025, the Agricultural Commissioner launched a community-wide survey to gather input on the proposed changes to the rooster ordinance. The survey was open from October 20, 2025, to November 3, 2025. A summary of the survey results is as follows:
• 65.71% of respondents live in unincorporated areas of the County of Napa.
• 31.43% of respondents currently own roosters.
• 88.57% of respondents supported or strongly supported adopting an ordinance designed to prevent illegal cockfighting and the raising of birds for that purpose.
• 68.57% supported or strongly supported allowing one rooster per acre, with a maximum of four per parcel.
• 74.29% of respondents did not represent an operation that would qualify for an exemption through the Agricultural Commissioner’s office.
• 45.71% of respondents would be open to applying for an exemption through the Agricultural Commissioner’s office.
• 40% of Respondents would be willing to provide verification of their exemption through the Agricultural Commissioner's office.
Based on this feedback, the proposed ordinance was updated to allow property owners with more than 0.5 acres but less than 1 acre to keep one rooster, and property owners with greater than 1.5 acres to own up to the maximum, which is 4 roosters per parcel.
Next Steps
If the Board votes today to express intent to adopt the ordinance, the ordinance will return for adoption on December 16, 2025. If adopted, Staff proposes the Ordinance be effective starting February 1, 2026.
Procedural Requirements:
1. Open Public Hearing.
2. Staff report.
3. Public comments.
4. Close Public Hearing.
5. Motion on the introduction of the ordinance, second, and discussion of the motion.
6. Vote on the motion. After the motion has been approved, staff will bring the ordinance back to the Board on the next consent calendar for final approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
If Chapter 6.18 and Section 18.08.040 are not amended, the County will have less tools available for addressing illegal cockfighting and avian flu. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The County would have to follow existing ordinance provisions and state law, which may reduce the ability to address illegal or inappropriate rooster-keeping activities, including cockfighting. |
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Additional Information: |
Strategic Initiative: Preserve Napa County’s Agricultural Legacy |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: General Rule. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore CEQA is not applicable. [See Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, 14 CCR 15061(b)(3)].