Buena Park, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Buena Park does not use the word 'hoarding' in its code, but several provisions address the conditions hoarding creates. The Municipal Code limits each residential property to three dogs and three cats over six months of age, capping the numbers that lead to hoarding situations. It requires that all animals and the premises, enclosures, or structures where they are kept be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and secure condition free from obnoxious odors, with debris, refuse, manure, urine, and waste food removed every day or more often as necessary. It prohibits maintaining animals so as to breed flies, create obnoxious odors, or become a nuisance or health hazard. Critically, whenever animals are kept within any building or on any premises without food, water, or proper care and attention, an animal control officer or police officer may enter the building or premises to remove and impound the neglected animals under the procedures provided by law. Enforcement is carried out by SEAACA, which investigates animal cruelty and neglect; suspected abuse or neglect can be reported to a SEAACA officer at (562) 803-3301. State law backs this up: California Penal Code Section 597 criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect, Section 597.1 addresses failure to provide care and authorizes seizure, and overcrowding that compromises animal health can be charged under these statutes - the classic legal basis for prosecuting animal hoarding.