Milpitas, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Feral cat duties
- Feed, trap, sterilize, vaccinate, test
- Sterilization trigger age
- 8 weeks
- License exemption
- Spayed/neutered, vaccinated feral cats
- Owned cat license
- Required over age 4 months
- At-large limit
- Unsterilized cats barred from common areas
Summary
Milpitas regulates cats mainly through a feral-cat care standard and a licensing carve-out. Section V-210-6.05 requires anyone caring for feral cats to feed them regularly, trap and sterilize those over 8 weeks old, and test and vaccinate them, while Section V-210-8.03 exempts a spayed, vaccinated feral cat from the City's license requirement.
Every person caring for one or more feral cats, as defined in Section V-210-2, shall provide, at a minimum, the following level of care: ... Trap all cats over the age of eight (8) weeks and have them spayed or neutered; ... Arrange to have all cats routinely vaccinated for rabies, feline leukemia, and feline rhinotracheitis-calici-panleukopenia-chlamydia psittaci. ... A license shall not be required for a ... feral cat, as defined in Section V-210-2, if such cat is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and cared for pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 210 does not treat cats as free-roaming animals outside the law; anyone who feeds or shelters one or more feral cats, defined in Section V-210-2.09 as untamed domesticated cats, takes on defined duties under Section V-210-6.05. The caretaker must feed the cats regularly, including weekends and holidays; trap every cat over eight weeks old and have it spayed or neutered; test all of them for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, humanely euthanizing or isolating any that test positive; and keep them vaccinated for rabies, feline leukemia and feline rhinotracheitis-calici-panleukopenia-chlamydia psittaci.
In exchange, Section V-210-8.03 exempts a feral cat that is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and cared for under this standard from the license Section V-210-8.01 otherwise requires for any cat over four months old. Owned cats still need that annual license, with the fee set by City Council resolution under Section V-210-8.07, an up-to-date rabies vaccination under Section V-210-6.04, and, once licensed, must wear the tag under Section V-210-8.15 unless microchipped. Cats also fall under the Chapter's general at-large rule: Section V-210-6.10 bars an unsterilized cat from running at large on public property or on private common areas, such as a condominium project's shared grounds, without the property owner's consent.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet the feral-cat care duties in Section V-210-6.05, such as skipping trapping, sterilization or vaccination, leaves the caretaker without the license exemption in Section V-210-8.03, so any cat covered must be licensed like an owned cat under Section V-210-8.01. Letting an unsterilized cat run at large without the property owner's consent violates Section V-210-6.10 and can lead to seizure by the Administrator or a peace officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to feed feral cats in Milpitas?
Does my feral cat colony need a City license?
Can my cat roam the neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milpitas
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