Pacifica, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- cats over three months old
- First due
- 3 months old or 60 days after acquiring
- Renewal
- on rabies vaccination expiration date
- Altered-cat discount
- lower fee with sterilization proof
- Microchip
- does not exempt cat from licensing
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, every cat over three months old must carry a current annual license under Pacifica Municipal Code Section 6-1.204, the same licensing article that covers dogs. The license fee is due when the cat turns three months old or within sixty days of acquiring it, and renews on the rabies vaccination expiration date. Altered cats pay a lower fee than unaltered cats, and a microchip does not excuse an owner from licensing.
(a)Licensing requirements for dogs and cats shall be as follows:(1)An annual license shall be obtained, and an annual license fee shall be paid by the owner for every dog or cat over the age of three (3) months owned or kept in unincorporated San Mateo County, and all cities within the County which adopt this article. Said annual license fee shall be first due when the animal reaches three (3) months of age or within sixty (60) calendar days after the dog or cat is acquired, and due on the expiration date of the rabies vaccination and each year thereafter. ... (4)The fee for such license shall be as set forth in Section 6-1.230 of this article. The fee paid for the licensing of altered dogs and cats shall be less than said license fee for unaltered cats or dogs upon presentation of the proper certification. ... (8)Animals with microchip implants or other permanent identification acceptable to the Animal Control Program are not exempt from the mandatory licensing requirements.
Full Breakdown
effective February 21, 2024. 204(a)(1) requires an annual license and fee for every cat over three months old kept in the city, first due at three months of age or within sixty calendar days of acquiring the cat, and due again each year on the rabies vaccination expiration date. New residents get sixty calendar days to obtain a Pacifica license, and anyone renewing has thirty calendar days past the due date before being assessed a late penalty. Owners may instead buy a three-year license by submitting proof of a three-year rabies vaccination. 204(a)(8) makes clear that a microchip or other permanent ID does not exempt a cat from licensing. 206(a)(2) and (f). 203.
Violations & Fines
A cat owner who fails to license their cat on time can be assessed a late fee and required to pay all past-due license fees, or may instead receive an administrative citation enforced under the same process that applies to the rest of the Animal Control article, with a right to contest the citation before a hearing officer under Section 6-1.221.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats need to be licensed in Pacifica?
Is my cat's license fee cheaper if she's spayed?
My cat is microchipped, do I still need a license?
Do Pacifica's leash rules apply to cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle cat rules.