The number of dogs you can have in your house in California is capped at 3 or 4, while the number of cats you can own ranges from 1-10, depending on the municipality or county. In other words, the number of dogs or cats you can have in one household is regulated by the California city or county in which you live. In many ways, being a dog or cat owner is a huge responsibility. As a cat or dog owner, you should not think much about pet restrictions, which are only essential to know.
In case you don't, many California cities or counties place restrictions on how many dogs or cats can be registered in one household. With that in mind, let's look at the set of rules in some counties when it comes to pet ownership in California.
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Los Angeles County, CA
The number of dogs allowed per household in Los Angeles County is capped at 4. A special license is required if you wish to own more than that. You can have up to 5 cats in your house in LA County if all cats primarily reside indoors and are spayed and neutered. Failure to comply with these rules may result in citations. As mentioned earlier in the introduction, owning a dog or cat is a big responsibility. However, if you have the space, time, energy, and money, you may have four dogs and five cats in Los Angeles County as a responsible pet owner.
San Diego County, CA
Each city in San Diego County has its own set of rules when it comes to how many pets a resident can have in their house, according to San Diego Humane Society. You can own six dogs or six cats if you live in the city of San Diego or an unincorporated area. A kennel permit is required to own more than that. If you live in the city of Carlsbad, you are allowed no more than three dogs or cats in one household. Encinitas residents are allowed to have four dogs or cats in residential zones, and up to six pets in rural residential zones.
Orange County, CA
The number of dogs or cats you can own in Orange County depends on the city in which you live, as each OC city has its own code that dictates how many pets a resident can own. In the City of Fullerton, for example, a maximum of four pets is allowed per household (three dogs and one cat, or three cats and one dog). Apartment dwellers in Fullerton are allowed a maximum of two adult dogs or cats. All dogs over the age of four months in Orange County are by law required to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed. Cat Licensing in Orange County is optional.
Riverside County, CA
Riverside County allows four dogs or nine cats per residence. Residents need a cattery permit from the Planning Department to own more than four dogs or nine cats. Like in every California county, you must not allow your dog to run at large in Riverside County. The Golden State has “strict liability” laws that hold pet owners liable for the acts of their dog regardless of whether or not they knew about their dog's behavior.
San Bernardino County, CA
The number of dogs or cats you can have in San Bernardino County depends on your property's zoning. For instance, 2 cats and/or 2 dogs are allowed per household in unincorporated parts of the County. The City of Highland allows up to 8 pets per property, depending on lot size.
Pet Ownership Restrictions in Other California Counties
Santa Clara County: 2 dogs or cats.
Alameda County: 3 dogs or cats.
Sacramento County: 3 dogs and 7 cats.
Contra Costa County: 4 dogs or cats.
Fresno County: No more than 6 pets, any combination of dogs and cats.
Kern County: There is no limit!
San Francisco County: 4 pets, any combination of dogs and cats.
Ventura County: No more than four pets, any combination of dogs and cats.
San Joaquin County: 3 dogs and 3 cats.
San Mateo County: 4 pets, any combination of dogs and cats.
Stanislaus County: 2 dogs or cats.
Sonoma County: 4 dogs and/or 4 cats.
Tulare County: 4 dogs or cats.
Solano County: 3 dogs or cats.
Monterey County: 3 dogs and/or 3 cats.
San Luis Obispo County: 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Merced County: 4 dogs or cats.
Santa Cruz County: 6 pets, any combination of dogs and cats.
Butte County: 4 dogs or cats.
El Dorado County: 4 dogs and 4 cats.
Shasta County: 6 dogs or cats.
Pet Ownership Restrictions in Some Major California Cities
Long Beach: 4 pets (dogs & cats).
Burbank: 4 pets (dogs & cats).
Arcadia: 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Glendale: 4 dogs and 6 cats.
San Marino: 3 cats and 3 dogs.
Bell Gardens: 2 cats and 2 dogs.
Bellflower: 3 pets.
Downey: 3 pets.
Montebello: 3 pets.
Norwalk: 3 pets.
Paramount: 3 pets.
Pico Rivera: 3 pets.
Bell: Allows 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Beverly Hills: 4 dogs or cats.
Hawthorne: 3 pets.
Huntington Park: 3 pets.
Pasadena: 4 pets (dogs & cats).
Cudahy: 2 dogs and 2 cats
Seal Beach: 4 pets (cats & dogs).
Lakewood: 2 dogs and 2 cats.
Torrance: 2 cats and 2 dogs.
Culver City: 3 cats and 3 dogs.
South Gate: 3 pets.
South El Monte: 3 pets.
South Pasadena: 3 pets.
West Hollywood: 3 cats and 3 dogs.
Santa Monica: 3 cats and 3 dogs.
Common Restricted Dog Breeds in California
In California, the following dog breeds are often labeled as dangerous: Pit Bulls, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. There is no statewide law in California that outlaws specific dog breeds, but a few California counties, including Sonoma and Riverside, do have breed-specific codes requiring mandatory spaying and neutering of pit bulls and, in some cases, Rottweilers. With local animal ordinances changing frequently, I suggest you check with your own local authorities to find out the exact restrictions that are in place in your area.
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