Moorpark, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 6.16.010
- Age threshold
- Over 4 months, in city 30+ days
- Microchip
- Substitutes for collar tag
- No license
- Cat may be seized and impounded
Summary
Moorpark requires every cat over four months old kept in the city 30 or more days to carry a current license and tag or microchip, with unlicensed cats subject to seizure, impoundment, or citation.
Every person who resides within the city and who owns, harbors, or keeps any dog or cat over the age of four months within the city for 30 days or longer shall obtain a current license and license tag issued as required by this title for each dog or cat.
B. The license tag obtained shall be attached to a substantial collar or harness that shall be worn by the dog or cat at all times, except as provided in subsection C of this section or Section 6.16.080 of this chapter.
C. Cats with electronic identification in the form of microchip implants or other forms of permanent identification approved and issued by the city or its agent, are not required to wear a collar and tag. All other licensing requirements of this title apply to such cat.
D. Any dog found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license may be seized and impounded by an animal compliance officer or any peace officer, and/or a citation may be issued to the person who owns, harbors or keeps the dog.
E. Any cat found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license or without electronic identification may be seized and impounded by an animal compliance officer or any peace officer and/or a citation may be issued to the person who owns, harbors or keeps the cat. (Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978490; v10 updated 2026-07-01).
Full Breakdown
Under Moorpark Municipal Code § 6.16.010, any resident who owns, harbors, or keeps a cat over four months old within the city for 30 days or longer must obtain a current license and tag from the city or its agent. The tag must be worn on a collar or harness unless the cat carries an approved electronic microchip instead. A cat found without a current license, tag, or microchip may be seized and impounded by an animal compliance officer or peace officer, and the owner may be cited. Licenses require proof of rabies vaccination under § 6.16.020, and spayed/neutered cats qualify for a reduced fee under § 6.16.040. The code does not create separate feral-colony rules.
Violations & Fines
An unlicensed or untagged cat may be seized and impounded, and the owner may be cited. Renewing late adds a penalty equal to 100% of the annual license fee under § 6.16.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do indoor-only cats need a Moorpark license?
Does Moorpark regulate feral cat colonies separately?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moorpark
California rules heatmap·Compare Moorpark to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle cat rules.