San Bernardino County, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not have a standalone 'animal hoarding' ordinance with its own numeric threshold. Instead, hoarding situations are addressed through existing tools. First, the Development Code pet limits in Table 84-5 cap a combination of dogs and/or cats at 2 to 5 per parcel by lot size, and five or more dogs and/or cats constitutes a private kennel or cattery that requires a Special Use Permit and Public Health approval under Section 84.04.060 - so keeping large numbers without that permit is itself a zoning violation. Second, when animals are kept in conditions that deprive them of proper food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, California Penal Code 597 (cruelty to animals) and Penal Code 597.1 (failure to provide care, authorizing seizure of neglected animals) apply, and Penal Code 597s prohibits abandonment. San Bernardino County Animal Care enforces the County Code animal-care and number provisions and refers cruelty cases for prosecution. The County Code also generally requires animal keeping to comply with public-health laws regarding 'proper care and maximum number of animals' (Development Code 84.04.090(f)). Habitual noise and odor from too many animals can additionally be cited under County Code 32.0119 (noise) and as a public nuisance.