Santa Clara, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

30, Dogs and Cats, treats cat licensing and vaccination as linked requirements. 030 requires every owner of a cat (or dog) over four months old to have the animal vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Public Health, revaccinated on the schedule the State prescribes, and makes compliance a condition of getting or renewing a license. 040 then bars maintaining or boarding any unlicensed cat over four months old, with two narrow carve-outs: a nonresident's cat kept in the city under thirty days in any twelve-month period, and a cat brought in temporarily for a show, event or exhibition scheduled no more than ten days out.

050, with a reduced rate for spayed females, a required veterinarian certificate to claim that reduced rate, an added late fee once a license is more than sixty days past its expiration or sixty days past a renewal notice, and a fee waiver the City Manager can grant for one spayed or neutered pet in a household headed by an owner over sixty-five who holds or qualifies for a State Medi-Cal card. 060 has the Administrator issue the license along with the owner's name and address, amount paid, issuance and expiration dates, and a description of the cat. 100 requires the owner to present the license on request from an animal control employee or peace officer.