Redding does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding ordinance but addresses hoarding through (1) Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G), which prohibits keeping animals in unsanitary conditions producing odor, fecal accumulation, insect infestation, or rodent attractants disturbing neighbors; (2) Title 7 of the Municipal Code as enforced by Haven Humane Animal Regulation Officers; and (3) California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty to animals), which is the principal criminal statute used statewide against neglect and hoarding situations.
Redding's local rules combine zoning, animal-control, and nuisance frameworks. Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G) at https://files.cityofredding.gov/Document%20Center/Departments/Development%20Services/Planning/Zoning%20Ordinance/Section%201843040%20Animals.pdf prohibits any person from keeping an animal in an unsanitary condition within the City and defines unsanitary as the keeping resulting in an accumulation of fecal matter, an odor, insect infestation, or rodent attractants that endanger the animal or any person or that disturb the enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of any person in or about any dwelling, office, hospital, or commercial establishment. Title 7 of the Redding Municipal Code (animal control) is enforced by Haven Humane Animal Regulation Officers at 530-241-2550 — under the City's contract per https://www.havenhumane.org/animal-regulations, those officers respond to cruelty calls 24/7 and have authority to seize animals from grossly inadequate care. The principal criminal statute used statewide for hoarding-grade neglect is California Penal Code Section 597 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=597.). Section 597(b) makes it a crime to having custody of any animal, fail to provide proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather, or who subjects any animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon the animal. Penal Code 597 is a 'wobbler' — chargeable as either a misdemeanor (up to 1 year county jail and/or up to $20,000 fine) or a felony (up to 3 years state prison). Penal Code Sections 597.1 (seizure of animals in immediate danger) and 597.7 (animals in vehicles) provide additional enforcement tools. Repeated impounds of the same household for animal-control violations are the classic indicator of hoarding and routinely escalate to Penal Code 597 charges through the Shasta County District Attorney. Penal Code Section 597(g) authorizes forfeiture of all animals owned by a defendant.
Local Section 18.43.040(G) violations carry administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 with daily continuing-violation fines plus abatement orders. Criminal charges under California Penal Code Section 597 carry: misdemeanor — up to one year in county jail and/or a fine up to $20,000; felony — up to three years in state prison and the same fine maximum. Convicted defendants may be barred from owning animals for at least five years (Section 597(j)) and ordered to pay restitution for veterinary care and shelter costs. Section 597.1 authorizes warrantless seizure of animals in immediate danger.
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