Costa Mesa, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

There is no Orange County ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' but two layers of law combine to address it. First, the County's Animal Permit requirement under OCCO 4-1-76 acts as an early check: anyone keeping four or more dogs or four or more cats over four months of age must obtain an annual permit from OC Animal Care, which lets the County track and inspect multi-animal households. Second, and more seriously, California Penal Code section 597 criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect — including depriving an animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or protection, or subjecting it to needless suffering. Animal hoarding is prosecuted under this statute when the number of animals or the conditions compromise their health and safety through overcrowding, malnutrition, or unsanitary conditions. Penal Code 597 is a 'wobbler,' meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on severity, intent, and prior offenses; penalties can include county jail or state prison time and fines up to $20,000. OC Animal Care officers, working with law enforcement, can seize neglected animals and the County can require an owner to come into compliance, surrender animals, or face prosecution. Residents who suspect neglect or hoarding can report it to OC Animal Care for investigation.