Dublin, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cats are lightly regulated in Dublin compared with dogs. The City's FAQ states that cat licensing is not mandatory, whereas every owner of a dog four months of age or older must license the dog. Dublin's residential pet limit allows up to two cats on a residential lot without an Animal Fanciers Permit; keeping more than two cats requires that permit, which is issued through the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and administered by the East County Animal Shelter (925-803-7040). Dublin's leash requirement in Chapter 5.36 applies to dogs, not cats, so there is no published municipal leash mandate for cats. Cat owners are still bound by the City's general animal control framework and public-nuisance provisions, and by California state law on animal welfare and cruelty. Animal control services for cats, including handling of strays, run through the East County Animal Shelter under the City's contract with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Owners who let cats roam should be mindful that the City's coyote guidance urges keeping small pets indoors or attended outdoors, since coyotes are an active wildlife presence in Dublin. While the City does not impose cat-specific confinement rules, a cat that becomes a documented nuisance could still draw enforcement under the broader animal control and nuisance provisions.