Mariposa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Mariposa County is a foothill ranching county where cattle, horses and other livestock are common, and the entire county is unincorporated. The county Planning Department's published FAQ states that, outside the four Town Planning Areas with adopted Specific Plans, the zoning ordinance does not set a specific limit on the number of animals, including horses; livestock raising is permitted as long as it does not constitute a nuisance, judged by how the animals and facilities are maintained and how close neighbors are. In the Agricultural Exclusive zone, agricultural uses are permitted outright. The Animal Control code addresses livestock at large: Section 6.08.270 makes it an infraction, punishable under general penalty Chapter 1.20, for an owner to allow, suffer or cause any livestock, including cattle, pigs, horses, mules and goats, to run at large on another person's private property without permission. The code also protects livestock from dogs: under Section 6.08.180 a person may kill a dog caught in the act of killing, wounding or persistently pursuing livestock or poultry on land not owned by the dog's owner, and Section 6.08.190 lets a landowner seize a dog entering property where livestock are confined. Impounded large livestock incur board-and-care and transport fees. The county also has a Right to Agricultural Activity Ordinance supporting established farming and ranching.