Title
Receive an update in response to Board Referral No. 2024.11, asking staff to investigate possible modifications to the County’s Rooster Ordinance to make it more effective at eradicating cockfighting operations in unincorporated Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an update report in response to Board Referral No. 2024.11 to have staff look at
modifying the County’s Rooster Ordinance in order to make it more effective at
eradicating cockfighting operations in unincorporated Monterey County; and
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
On September 5, 2024, Board Referral No. 2024.11 was assigned to the Health Department, via Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS) to have staff look at modifying the County’s Rooster Ordinance to make it more effective at eradicating cockfighting operations in unincorporated Monterey County.
On October 1, 2024, staff provided the Board of Supervisors with a preliminary response to this referral. Staff estimated it would take it six (6) months to review the ordinance, meet with stakeholders, and work with County Counsel on proposed amendments to the Ordinance, before returning to the Board.
During this time, the State of California proposed AB 928, which would have limited the number of roosters per parcel size. Staff then paused to see if the bill would be approved. In July 2025, AB 928 was pulled from Committee. Consequently, the County is now proceeding with making modifications to the County of Monterey Ordinance 8.50, Requirements for Keeping Five (5) or More Roosters.
The County of Monterey adopted its Rooster Ordinance in 2015. One of the main purposes of the ordinance was to prevent illegal cockfighting. There are several aspects of the ordinance, however, that make it difficult to enforce. While other counties have rooster ordinances that limit the number of roosters a person can have with a permit, the County of Mont...
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