Los Angeles City Council OKs Rooster Limits

The ordinance states: "In limiting the number of roosters on any one property, the city wishes to balance the desires of individuals to keep roosters with the rights of their neighbors to live in peace and tranquility."

People who already own several roosters will be allowed to keep up to three of them as pets, provided the birds do not create a nuisance or health hazard; are micro-chipped or fitted with a city-approved legband for identification; and are housed 100 feet from the closest neighboring home.

Those licensed roosters will be allowed to live out their lives in the city, but no "replacement roosters" will be allowed.

The ordinance allows exceptions for movie and television shoots, as well as for businesses and agencies to which roosters are integral, including educational facilities and animal exhibits, if proper permits are obtained.

Violations will result in a $50 fine for the first offense, $100 for the second and $250 for the third, while repeated failure to comply could also be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.