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

Cats are regulated more lightly than dogs. The State of California does not impose a cat leash law, and there is no statewide numeric limit on how many cats a household may own - those numbers are left to local jurisdictions. In unincorporated Ventura County, cats fall under the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance's 'pet animal' standards (Section 8107-2.4), meaning the number allowed is calculated from the parcel's zone and lot size rather than a fixed cap, with a permit available for additional pet animals under Section 8107-2.4.6. Even though cats need not be leashed, an owner is still responsible if a cat becomes a nuisance: under Section 4467 of the County Ordinance Code, animals (including cats) kept so as to disturb the peace or health of the neighborhood can be declared a public nuisance, and Animal Services can pursue a citation under Section 4467-12. Importantly, Ventura County's mandatory spay/neuter requirement applies to cats as well as dogs: under Sections 4421-3 and 4421-4 of the Ordinance Code, every cat over the age of four months kept in the unincorporated County must be spayed or neutered unless a specific exception applies (such as a veterinarian's certification that altering would endanger the animal, or other listed exemptions). Free-roaming and community cats are handled through Animal Services and local programs rather than a leash mandate.