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

Mariposa County does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding chapter, but several provisions and state law together address hoarding and neglect situations. The September 2025 Multiple Pet Permit (Section 6.08.265) requires a permit, with reasonable inspections, to keep more than ten dogs over six months old in a single dwelling or business, giving Animal Control Officers a mechanism to monitor large dog populations and educate owners on proper care, licensing and vaccination. Under Section 6.08.260 it is a violation for any person to abandon a dog or other animal in the county, and the Animal Control Officer has authority to impound abandoned, at-large or nuisance animals under Section 6.08.100. Section 6.08.240 grants the officer the powers of examination and entry on private premises provided by Section 1908 of the Health and Safety Code, supporting welfare inspections. The 2025 update also gave officers clearer impound authority, including for immediate threats. For cruelty and neglect, California Penal Code Section 597 makes it a crime to maliciously maim, mutilate, torture, wound or kill an animal, or to deprive an animal of necessary food, water, shelter or care; serious cases can be charged as felonies. Hoarding cases in the county would typically be handled through a combination of the permit and impound provisions and Penal Code Section 597 cruelty enforcement, often coordinated with the Sheriff's Office.