Alpaca classification under county livestock code
Summary
A Milford property with roughly 70 alpacas plus llamas, goats and other animals triggered a county code question: are alpacas small or large livestock? Classifying them as large cuts allowed density from seven per acre to two, which will force the herd to shrink. Supervisors noted Title 18's animal-density rules need a broader overhaul.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 28, 2026.
Impact analysis
No direct fiscal impact, but the classification limits stocking density countywide.
Neighbors of the Hamlin Road property, who complained of odor, noise and potential well-water impacts.
The property owner, whose permissible animal count will drop by more than half.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Supervisors — July 28, 2026
A routine but real code fix: alpacas are now officially large animals under Lassen County's keeping-animals and small-livestock-farming rules.
Board of Supervisors — March 24, 2026
A Milford property with roughly 70 alpacas plus llamas, goats and other animals triggered a county code question: are alpacas small or large livestock? Classifying them as large cuts allowed density from seven per acre to two, which will force the herd to shrink. Supervisors noted Title 18's animal-density rules need a broader overhaul.
Related development
Alpaca livestock classification — APN 135-190-027, 449-585 Hamlin Rd., Milford
The herd on the Hamlin Road parcel will have to shrink to comply — roughly half or more of the current animals must go.
Classification of alpacas as large animals (File# 318.01.76)
Alpaca owners now have clear rules for how the animals count against their parcel's large-animal limits.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Lassen County
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.