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

Placer County's animal ordinance treats cats more permissively than dogs. There is no mandatory cat license; however, Section 6.12.010(J) provides that, at an owner's request and upon showing a valid rabies vaccination certificate, the County may issue a cat license and collect an annual fee. Cats are counted in the household animal limits set by zoning Section 17.56.050(F)(16) - generally four cats (or a combination of four dogs and cats) in RS and RM residential zones, with higher limits in agricultural and forest zones. The County Code does not impose a cat leash or at-large requirement specific to cats in the way it does for dogs; the general 'at large' definition for non-dog animals refers to confinement appropriate to the species. 'Feral cats' are defined by reference to California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31752.5 as cats with temperaments that are completely unsocialized, and impounded cats are handled and held consistent with state-law holding periods. Impounded cats made available for adoption must be spayed or neutered before release under Section 6.20.050.