DATE: September 23, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Supervisor Buddy Mendes, District 4
Supervisor Nathan Magsig, District 5
John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
Joe Prado, Interim Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, Adding Chapter 9.11, “KEEPING OF ROOSTERS” and Amendment to Master Schedule of Fees
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Conduct first hearing to amend Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 9, to add Chapter 9.11, “KEEPING OF ROOSTERS”; waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety and set the second hearing for October 7, 2025;
2. Conduct first hearing to amend the Master Schedule of Fees, Charges, and Recovered Cost Ordinance by amending Section 900 - Environmental Health, Subsection 905, waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety, and set the second hearing for October 7, 2025;
3. Designate County Counsel to prepare fair and adequate summaries of the proposed Ordinances; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summaries in accordance with Government Code Section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which would add 9.11, “Keeping of Roosters” to Title 9, “Animals” to help alleviate the County of Fresno’s (County) health, safety, and noise related nuisance by allowing increased County control over the keeping of roosters within the unincorporated area of the County. Currently, there is no existing County ordinance to effectively manage or limit the number of roosters kept on a single property. Approval of the recommended actions would also revise the existing Master Schedule of Fees, Charges and Recovered Costs by amending Environmental Health Section 900. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to approve the recommended actions, the County would continue without having an ordinance to effectively manage or limit the number of roosters kept on a single property. Your Board could also choose to approve the recommended actions but adjust the number of allowable roosters on a single property or the number of allowable roosters based on a rooster keeping permit. Your Board may also direct the Department of Public Health (Public Health) staff not to change the rates in the Master Schedule of Fees, change a portion of the rates, or propose alternative rates.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Mandated animal control services are fully funded with a yearly allocation of County General Fund dollars. Patrol and enforcement will be conducted by Fresno County Animal Services and the Sheriff’s Office. These agencies may incur impacts or costs; however, they may be partially offset by payment of fees or citations. In regards to the Master Schedule of Fees, it is anticipated the proposed fee increases, if approved by your Board, will allow the Department of Public Health - Environmental Health Division to collect a fee for the rooster keeping permit and associated application fee. The application fee will be used to offset Sheriff’s Office background checks as well as staff time required for inspection for each permit applicant.
DISCUSSION:
The County is experiencing health, safety and noise related issues pertaining to the unregulated number of roosters allowed on properties located in the unincorporated area and on County islands. Approval of the recommended actions will limit the amount of roosters kept on a single property to reduce public nuisances, illegal cockfighting, the raising of birds used for cockfighting, prevent the inhumane treatment of birds by those who engage in illegal cockfighting activities and to protect the health and safety of the County’s residents.
The recommended ordinance update limits the number of roosters to a single property to up to ten (10). Residents who wish to have 11 to 24 roosters would need to apply for and receive a rooster keeping permit (Permit) by the Director of Public Health, or designee. The permitting process may require an onsite inspection of the premises by an animal control officer, humane officer, or peace officer upon demand. The number of roosters allowed to be kept within a rooster keeping permit will be determined according to factors related to public health, welfare and safety, including parcel size, proximity to neighbors, sanitation and ability to meet certain animal care standards.
The recommended Rooster Keeping ordinance update also allows for organizations like 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or similar organizations or educational poultry projects to have more than 10 roosters but must meet certain requirements articulated in the ordinance.
No more than 24 roosters may be kept or maintained on any property.
An exception exists within the recommended ordinance update for commercial poultry ranches whose primary commodity is the production of eggs or meat for sale and are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service, or government-operated animal shelters or other animal welfare organizations that employ humane officers.
In alignment with this new ordinance, Public Health, with collaborative input from the Sheriff’s Office, County Administrative Office, and Fresno Humane Animal Services, has developed a revised fee schedule for Board consideration.
The proposed fee adjustments are designed to achieve full cost recovery for the enhanced regulatory framework and enforcement efforts. Key proposed changes to Master Schedule of Fees - Section 900 Environmental Health include:
1. Section 905(a):
a. (New) Rooster Keeping Permit: $240.00 per year.
i. Rooster Keeping Permit: Establishment of a new annual rooster keeping permit fee (permitting 11 - 24 roosters), crucial for the administration and oversight of permitted properties.
2. Section 905(b):
a. (New) Non-Refundable Administrative Application Fee: $440.00 per application.
i. This fee specifically covers the administrative overhead and the mandatory background checks conducted by the Sheriff's Office and site inspection by Fresno Humane Animal Services.
If the recommended actions are approved by your Board, the second readings will be scheduled for October 7, 2025. The recommended fee rate changes will take effect 30 days after the second reading if adopted by your Board.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Ordinance (Chapter 9.11)
On file with Clerk - Summary of Ordinance (Chapter 9.11)
Ordinance (MSF)
Attachment A - Proposed MSF
On file with Clerk - Summary of Ordinance (MSF)
CAO ANALYST:
Sevag Tateosian