Colusa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Colusa County Code Chapter 3 (Animals and Fowl) does not define animal hoarding or set a blanket cap on the number of animals at a residence, but several tools address the harm hoarding causes. Section 3-1 makes it unlawful for an owner to allow fowl or animals to habitually make loud noises that cause general annoyance or discomfort to neighboring inhabitants, and it sets a courtesy-abatement process: animal control sends an abatement letter, the owner must correct the nuisance within two weeks, and failure to abate can result in citation under the Code Compliance Provisions of Chapter 42. The kennel rules (Sections 3-6, 3-15, 3-16) require a license and code compliance for keeping more than five dogs for commercial purposes, and the Zoning Code household-pet limits in Section 44-4.110.010 cap pets in residential zones (four, rising with parcel size). Section 44-4.110.030 also requires that animal fecal matter beyond what can be safely and sanitarily used on the premises be removed and not allowed to accumulate. The most direct tools for true hoarding and neglect are California Penal Code Sections 597 and 597.1, which make animal cruelty and the failure to provide proper care, food, water, or shelter punishable and authorize peace and humane officers to seize neglected animals. Colusa County Animal Control enforces these provisions in the unincorporated area.