Photo by Woodleywonderworks

Bottom line: In Oakland it's pretty simple. You may keep chickens (not roosters) in the City of Oakland provided their enclosures are at least 20 feet from neighboring dwellings, churches and schools. However, you may not keep chickens if you live in an apartment building. There are no limitations on the number of chickens that may be kept mentioned in the ordinance.

If you're creative and determined, the opportunities exist to operate your own version of an urban farm in Oakland. Novella Carpenter does just that. For inspiration, visit her blog at ghosttownfarm.wordpress.com or read her book Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer

For more details on the rules for keeping chickens in Oakland (or see below):
City of Oakland: Animal Control
www.oaklandnet.com
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 535-5603

Oakland Animal Services
www.oaklandanimalservices.org
1101 29th Avenue
(510) 535-5602

Fine print, such as it is:
(see General Animal Control Regulations City of Oakland 6.04.320 Keeping of fowl)

It is unlawful for any person to keep any ducks, geese, chickens or other fowls in any enclosure in the city unless the exterior boundaries of said enclosures are more than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, church or school.

It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or maintain roosters within the city limit.

This section shall not prohibit the activity authorized under Section 6.04.290 of this code.

This section shall also not apply to and is not intended to regulate any commercial activity that is already regulated by the Oakland Planning Code.

(Ord. 12705 § 3, 2005: Prior code § 3-9.28)