Hesperia controls hoarding-type conditions in two ways. First, Development Code §16.20.690 and the Animal Quantities Matrix cap the number of animals allowed per lot based on lot size and zoning (e.g., 15 small animals per 10,000 sf for sub-acre lots; 150 per acre for larger parcels), making it a Development Code violation to keep more than the maximums. Second, California Penal Code §597 (cruelty) and §597.1 (failure to provide care; impoundment authority) criminalize keeping animals in conditions of neglect — the statute reached by Hesperia Animal Control when a hoarding situation produces inadequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care. Spay/neuter is mandatory for animals subject to violations (Hesperia §6.08.020).
Hesperia's Animal Quantities Matrix (referenced in §16.20.690) establishes hard upper limits per lot — 15 small animals per 10,000 sf net lot area for parcels under one gross acre, and 150 small animals per acre on larger parcels — and species cannot be combined on sub-acre lots to exceed those caps. Possessing more than the matrix allows is itself a violation enforceable by Code Enforcement under Title 1. Title 6 (Animal Care and Control) Chapter 6.04 requires licensing (§6.04.010) and Chapter 6.08 (§6.08.020) authorizes Animal Control intervention; per the City's published spay/neuter rules, any animal involved in a violation 'shall be spayed or neutered ... at the owner's expense.' True hoarding situations are prosecuted under Cal. Penal Code §597 (cruelty — misdemeanor or felony wobbler) and §597.1 (peace officer / humane officer authority to impound animals lacking proper care; requires post-seizure hearing). The Hayden Act (§597f) requires shelters to hold impounded animals for stray hold periods. San Bernardino County Animal Care contracts with the City for shelter intake; Hesperia Animal Control: (760) 947-1700.
Exceeding the §16.20.690 numeric caps is a Development Code violation citable under Title 1. Neglect or cruelty is prosecuted under Cal. Penal Code §597 (misdemeanor: up to 1 year jail and $20,000 fine; felony: up to 3 years state prison). §597.1 authorizes seizure of animals at risk; the owner is liable for impound and care costs. Repeat licensing/quantity violations trigger mandatory spay/neuter under Hesperia §6.08.020 at owner cost, plus microchipping. Animals may be permanently forfeited under §597(g) following conviction.
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