LA County Title 10.20.220 caps three dogs and five cats at unincorporated single-family lots without a kennel permit. DACC and the Sheriff investigate hoarding cases as cruelty under California Penal Code §597, with seizure and prosecution.
In unincorporated LA County, LACO Title 10.20.220 limits residences to three dogs over four months and five cats without a kennel permit. The Department of Animal Care and Control enforces with the Sheriff and District Attorney when neglect, filthy conditions, or sheer animal numbers cross into cruelty under California Penal Code §597. DACC officers can seize animals, recover medical and boarding costs, and seek a court order barring future ownership. DACC also serves 45 contract cities, so the same hoarding response model applies even where city codes set different per-household limits.
Exceeding pet limits draws administrative citations, escalating fines, and kennel-permit demands. Cruelty-level hoarding can bring misdemeanor or felony charges, animal seizure, vet-cost restitution, and court-ordered ownership bans for years.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Altadena, CA
Trimming protected oak trees (≥8 in DBH) requires an Oak Tree Permit if the work enters the protected zone or removes >25% of crown. Street trees in the publ...
Altadena, CA
In Altadena's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, grass and weeds must be kept under 3 inches under LA County Fire Code Title 32 defensible-space rules.
Altadena, CA
LA County Fire's Brush Clearance program also functions as the weed-abatement ordinance — vacant and improved lots must keep weeds and grasses cut to under 3...
Altadena, CA
Outdoor watering in Altadena (served by Lincoln Avenue Water Co., Las Flores Water Co., Rubio Cañon, and Kinneloa Irrigation District) is limited to 2 days p...
Altadena, CA
Oak trees (genus Quercus) with a trunk circumference of 25 inches or more (8-inch diameter at 4.5 ft above grade) are protected — removal, damage, or encroac...
Altadena, CA
Commercial filming in Altadena's unincorporated areas requires a permit from FilmLA (the official film office contracted by LA County). Permits cover insuran...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle animal hoarding.
See how Altadena's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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