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

Kings County does not publish a stand-alone 'hoarding' ordinance, but hoarding situations are reached through a combination of the County Code and California state law. Under the County Code (Chapter 4), keeping ten or more dogs or cats over four months old makes the premises a kennel requiring a multiple-animal permit (Sec. 4-33), so large numbers of animals are subject to permitting and inspection; the noisy-animal nuisance provision (Sec. 4-79) and general nuisance rules can also be applied when conditions disturb neighbors or create unsanitary conditions. The core legal tool against hoarding and neglect, however, is California Penal Code Section 597, which makes it a crime to subject an animal to needless suffering or to deprive it of necessary food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather; violations can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Related provisions of the Penal Code (Sec. 597t and others) require adequate exercise and humane conditions for confined animals. Kings County Animal Services investigates complaints of neglect and overcrowding and can seize animals kept in inhumane conditions, working with the District Attorney for prosecution. Anyone overwhelmed by the number of animals in their care should contact Animal Services for help before conditions deteriorate into criminal neglect.