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Kings County, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Individual license
not required for cats
At-large
prohibited (§4-67)
Rabies vaccination
required by 4 months
Microchip
required (§4-47)

Summary

Kings County does not individually license cats the way it licenses dogs, but cats are still barred from running at large on others' property and must be vaccinated and microchipped.

City-specific rules exist: Hanford has its own cat rules rules that differ from Kings County's county-level regulations. If you live in Hanford, check the city-specific page instead.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).

Full Breakdown

Unlike dogs, cats in unincorporated Kings County need no individual license tag. Sec. 4-21's licensing requirement applies to dogs only. Cats are still covered by Sec. 4-67's general at-large ban, which prohibits any animal from being pastured or kept on a street, public place, or another's private property without permission. Cats must also receive a primary rabies vaccination within 30 days of turning four months old and be revaccinated every three years under Sec. 4-51, and must be implanted with a microchip under Sec. 4-47.

Violations & Fines

Letting a cat roam at large onto private property without permission, or skipping the required rabies vaccination or microchip, is an infraction under Sec. 4-10, enforced by the animal control officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kings County require a cat license?
No: only dogs need an individual license tag under Sec. 4-21; cats are unlicensed but must still be vaccinated (Sec. 4-51) and microchipped (Sec. 4-47).
Can my cat roam the neighborhood?
Not onto others' property without permission. Sec. 4-67 bars any animal, including cats, from being at large on private land against the owner's wishes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kings County

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All Kings County rules

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Cat Rules in Cities Across Kings County

Hanford, CA