Protect Residents’ Rights to Food Security and Pet Ownership of Chickens in Moreno Valley

To: Moreno Valley Planning Division and City Council

Moreno Valley has a rich agricultural history and a strong community of homeowners who have long contributed to the city’s culture and identity. However, recent zoning changes have prohibited chicken ownership in areas where it was previously allowed, and the city is now actively cracking down on residents who assumed they had grandfather rights. The Moreno Valley Planning Department has made it clear that there are no such grandfather protections, and all residents—regardless of how long they have responsibly kept their flocks—are now being forced to remove their chickens, even if they are beloved pets.

Additionally, while roosters were not previously permitted, many residents kept them assuming they were protected by the broader Riverside County and Riverside City regulations, which allow roosters within reason, since many homes have existed with these rights since before the city even existed, and family tradition, has included their flocks. Instead of forcing people to give up their flocks and longstanding pets, Moreno Valley should adopt fair, humane policies that balance development with responsible chicken-keeping, just as some of our neighboring communities have done. Let's, us too, be one of the leaders in food security and ethical animal ownership.

We, the undersigned, urge the city to restore the right of all Moreno Valley homeowners to responsibly keep chickens and allow for reasonable, regulated rooster ownership, ensuring a fair balance between development and the city’s agricultural heritage.  

                Why This Matters:

 1. Respecting Homeowners and Preserving Moreno Valley’s Agricultural Culture

While new housing is necessary given the housing crisis in California, growth of the city should not come at the expense of those who live here already. The city’s residents—especially in rural areas—have long been the backbone of Moreno Valley’s development, and agriculture can remain an important part of our community’s identity. However, all homeowners, not just those in rural areas, should have the right to own chickens as a sustainable food source, provided they have the space to house them responsibly and they harm no neighbors. Other cities, including neighboring Riverside, have successfully balanced development with poultry ownership, allowing chickens (and in some cases roosters) with reasonable restrictions—such as property size requirements, distance rules, and noise-mitigation measures. Moreno Valley can and should adopt similar, sensible regulations rather than outright bans.  

2. Protecting Access to Affordable, Safe Eggs Amid Rising Prices and Bird Flu Risks

The cost of eggs has skyrocketed due to supply chain issues and avian influenza outbreaks. Backyard flocks provide an affordable, sustainable alternative, and small-scale poultry keeping actually reduces the risk of bird flu spreading to humans. Industrial farms with thousands of birds in close quarters are breeding grounds for disease, and when just one bird tests positive, entire flocks are culled, worsening shortages. In contrast, decentralized backyard flocks pose a much smaller risk, especially when owners follow strict biosecurity practices—such as preventing contact with wild birds, using dedicated footwear for coops, and washing hands after handling poultry. Instead of banning chickens outright, Moreno Valley should implement biosecurity education for flock owners to help protect both public health and local food security.  

3. Recognizing Chickens and Roosters as Valuable Pets and Livestock

Chickens are not just livestock—they are intelligent, affectionate animals that form strong bonds with their owners. Roosters, despite common misconceptions, are also valued members of flocks, providing natural protection, keeping peace among hens, and reducing stress-related aggression. Without the option to keep roosters, many unwanted male chicks are killed at birth because they serve no purpose in large egg-laying operations, an incredibly inhumane practice that limiting rooster ownership encourages. Allowing residents to keep roosters responsibly—such as through noise-mitigating measures—would help reduce unnecessary culling while preserving the humane and traditional aspects of chicken-keeping.  .

4.Fairness for Existing Residents and Property Rights

Moreno Valley must treat all homeowners fairly, ensuring that reasonable access to backyard chickens is available to anyone with adequate space. Many residents who have been here for generations, unbothered and in no offense to their neighbors, assumed they had "Grandfather Rights" to keep their chickens, only to now be told they must give them up due to zoning changes. This is unjust and unnecessary. Instead of pushing out responsible backyard flock owners, the city should follow Riverside’s example and regulate, rather than prohibit, poultry ownership.  

            Our Proposed Regulations:

We call on the Moreno Valley City Council and Planning Division to allow:  

• For lots under ¼ acre: Up to 6 chickens. Roosters or additional chickens are only to be allowed with a city permit.  
• For lots between 1/4 and ½ acre: Up to 15 chickens, including roosters.  
• For lots 1 acre or larger: No numerical limit, as long as chickens are contained within the owner's property and have adequate space (4 sq. ft. per bird for flocks under 8, 9 sq. ft. per bird for flocks of 8 or more).  

Additionally, we propose the following requirements for all chicken owners, regardless of lot size:  

Biosecurity measures:
  - Chickens must be housed to prevent wild birds having access to their sleeping, eating, and drinking areas (or a bird net and fencing could be used to restrict access to chicken runs).  
  - Any areas where chickens sleep, eat, or drink must have solid coverings to prevent contamination from wild bird droppings (for example, polyurethane greenhouse sheets, or sheet metal could be used as a cover where food and water are kept so that any birds flying overhead cannot drop feces I to these riskier areas).  
  - Owners must follow strict hygiene protocols, including washing hands before and after handling poultry, using designated coop footwear or disposable footwear covers, and wearing separate clothing when in direct contact with birds.  
  - Owners must prevent and treat poultry parasites using appropriate medical or natural methods.  
  - Owners must report any signs of respiratory distress or multiple sudden deaths, as these could indicate avian influenza and require further testing.  

Rooster noise control:  
  - Roosters must be housed in sound-deadening coops overnight to prevent noise disturbances.  

Coop placement regulations:
  - Coops or any chicken housing must be placed at least 15 feet from any home, 50 feet where possible.  
  - Coop doors and windows should reasonably face the owner's home rather than neighbors' homes whenever possible.  

Neighbor dispute resolution:
  - If there is a noise complaint, both parties must attempt reasonable solutions before requesting city enforcement. Solutions may include improving soundproofing of a coop, installing fencing or greenery as a noise buffer, or even potentially contributing towards helping a neighbor soundproof their home if it is being impacted by noise.
  - Complaints without a good faith effort to resolve the issue by both parties will be considered harassment and will not warrant city action.  

                      Conclusion

We ask that the Moreno Valley City Council and Planning Division **restore the right for all homeowners to responsibly keep chickens and allow roosters within reasonable limits**. Our proposed policies strike a balance between development, agricultural heritage, and responsible pet and livestock ownership.  

Moreno Valley should be a city that values both its existing residents and its future growth—without unfairly forcing people to give up their animals and food security. Please sign this petition to protect our rights and preserve our community’s way of life.