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

In unincorporated Alpine County, the Animal Control Ordinance regulates cats far more lightly than dogs. The dog-licensing requirements in Sections 6.04.050 through 6.04.120 apply only to dogs - the County does not require cat licenses or cat rabies tags. 'Cat' is defined simply as 'all domesticated felines' (Section 6.04.020), and cats fall within the general definition of 'animal.' That means the general confinement rule in Section 6.04.160 technically reaches cats - no person may let an 'animal' run at large on public or others' property, and an 'animal' off private property is to be leashed (max ten feet) or under voice control - but in practice the code contains no cat-specific leash mandate and no cat-at-large penalty distinct from the general animal rule. Cats do count toward the five-or-more 'kennel' threshold (Section 6.04.020). A cat showing a propensity to attack, bite, scratch or harass without provocation can be deemed a 'vicious animal' (6.04.020) and handled under Section 6.04.140. Statewide, California has no cat leash law, so any cat restraint rules come from local code. Cruelty and neglect of cats is covered by California Penal Code Section 597.