Westminster, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cats in the City of Westminster are governed mainly by the household-limit rule in Municipal Code Section 6.12.020, which permits up to three cats over the age of four months, or a combination of cats and dogs not exceeding six animals total over four months of age. Keeping more requires an animal maintenance permit from the Westminster Police Department. Westminster's leash requirement in Section 6.12.100 is written for dogs on public property, so cats are not subject to a leash mandate. Westminster operates its own animal-control program through the Police Department (Westminster Animal Control), not OC Animal Care, and that unit handles cat-related calls. For feral cats, the practical city approach is that Animal Control will pick up kittens, lost friendly cats, and sick or injured cats, while healthy adult feral cats are typically released near where they were found rather than impounded, reflecting community-cat handling practices. Unlike dogs, cats are not required to be licensed under California state law, and Westminster's licensing program centers on dogs. Owners are still responsible for ensuring their cats do not create a nuisance and for complying with the overall animal limit. Residents with questions about a stray or feral cat colony should contact Westminster Animal Control at (714) 548-3201.