Lake Forest, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Lake Forest regulates cats more lightly than dogs. Under Chapter 10.08 ('Licensing of Dogs and Cats'), the owner of any cat 'may, upon submission of proof of rabies vaccination certified by a licensed veterinarian, and upon payment of the fee,' be issued a license and tag, but obtaining a cat license 'shall be optional on the part of the owner,' except as provided in section 10.08.050. OC Animal Care, the city's contracted provider, lists a Lake Forest cat license fee of $9.00 per year for both sterilized and unsterilized cats. There is no six-foot leash requirement for cats; the leash and restraint provisions in Chapter 10.12 apply specifically to dogs. Cats are, however, subject to the city's pet-limit rule: a household may keep up to three cats over four months old without a permit, and an Animal Permit from OC Animal Care is required for four or more cats over four months (consistent with OCCO 4-1-76). General nuisance, cruelty and sanitation rules enforced by OC Animal Care still apply to cats, and owners remain responsible for preventing their animals from creating a nuisance. Spaying/neutering is encouraged through the licensing fee structure but is not mandated by a city ordinance we located for cats specifically.