Whittier, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cats are treated permissively in Whittier. By Whittier Municipal Code Section 6.04.050 (amending LA County Code 10.20.038), "Up to five cats may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the cats' owner keeps all cats primarily indoors." Unlike dogs, cats are not subject to a mandatory city license: the City of Whittier's Animal Control information states that residents within city limits are not currently required to license their cats, while noting the county's voluntary program (a modest fee, lower for spayed or neutered cats). General animal-care duties in the adopted LA County Code Chapter 10.40 still apply to cats, including adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, and noise control, and a cat allowed to become a nuisance can be addressed under the county's animal-nuisance provisions. Whittier's zoning code separately limits the combined number of dogs and cats per household (the city cites Section 18.10.020(A): three combined for single-family residences, two per multifamily unit), which can be more restrictive than the five-cat figure, so the practical household maximum may be lower than five once dogs are also counted. Owners should keep cats primarily indoors as the ordinance contemplates and confirm the combined zoning limit with the city.