Santa Cruz, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

There is no ordinance in Santa Cruz County Code Title 6 specifically labeled 'animal hoarding,' but the County addresses hoarding-type situations through several overlapping rules. First, the zoning pet limits cap dogs and cats per parcel (generally 2-4 depending on zone), and keeping five or more dogs or cats is treated as a kennel under Chapter 6.16, which is not permitted in residential zones - so an accumulation of animals is itself a code violation. Second, Title 6 requires that animals be properly housed and cared for, with adequate food, water, and shelter (the unaltered-animal and care standards in Chapter 6.10), giving Animal Services a basis to act when animals are kept in inadequate conditions. Third, County Code 6.24.030 authorizes the director of animal control services to stop all practices that cause animal torment or torture, or cruelty, as those terms are defined in Section 599b of the California Penal Code, and Chapter 6.20 provides for impoundment. Where conditions amount to neglect or cruelty, California Penal Code sections 597 (cruelty to animals) and 597.1 (duty to provide care; authority to seize neglected animals) apply and can be enforced by Animal Services and law enforcement. Together these tools let the County intervene in hoarding cases - removing excess animals, requiring corrective conditions, and pursuing cruelty enforcement - even without a stand-alone hoarding statute. These provisions apply in the unincorporated county.