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

Nevada County's published animal-licensing program applies to dogs, not cats: all dogs 4 months of age and older in unincorporated Nevada County must be licensed within 30 days, but the County does not publish a cat-licensing requirement. Cats are, however, counted under the Animal Keeping and Raising standards (Sec. 12.03.040): in the R1, R2, R3, commercial, and industrial districts, dogs and cats combined may not exceed 3, and on parcels of 0.5 acre or less the overall cap is 6 animals (with no more than 3 dogs). Agricultural and rural districts impose no numeric limit. The County's general animal-control rules on animals running at large (Sec. 8.01.470) are written to cover 'any animal,' so they can reach cats as well, and Nevada County Animal Control handles stray and impounded animals. Where the County has no cat-specific rule, California state law controls: Penal Code Section 597 and related statutes require humane care and prohibit cruelty and neglect, and California Food & Agricultural Code provisions govern rabies control and stray-animal handling. Owners should keep cats vaccinated against rabies as recommended and prevent them from becoming a nuisance.