Perris, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Perris regulates cats more actively than many California cities. Section 8.02.020 (Control of unspayed and unaltered cats) makes it unlawful for anyone who owns, harbors or keeps an unspayed or unaltered cat four months of age or older to allow that cat to be or remain outdoors. Section 8.02.100 imposes a citywide mandatory spay/neuter requirement: no one may keep an unaltered cat over 12 months old except under limited exemptions (veterinary health risk, recognized breeders, registered show animals). Section 8.02.190 requires all cats over four months to be microchipped, with the chip number reported to the animal control division. Cat licensing itself is optional — Section 8.02.030 lets an owner obtain a license and tag on proof of vaccination but does not mandate it. The number of cats is capped at four (four months or older) per parcel under Section 8.02.040, and four or more cats makes the premises a 'cattery' under Section 8.01.010, requiring a permit. Section 8.02.210 (Cat trapping) allows trapping nuisance or feral cats only if a sign warning that a trap is in use is posted and visible from the road; trapping may not continue more than ten days in a 30-day period without authorization, and a trapped lactating female cat must be released immediately so nursing kittens are not orphaned. The city's own Animal Control Division enforces these rules.