Alpine County, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Alpine County is fully unincorporated, with ranching and horses part of its rural character, and the County Code reflects that. The Animal Control Ordinance defines 'livestock' broadly as 'all domesticated bovine, equine, carpine, ovine, avian and rodent species' and 'large animals' as bovine, horse, mule, goat, burro, sheep or swine (Section 6.04.020). Where livestock may be kept is set by zoning. In the AG Agriculture zone, ranch and farm fences, corrals and livestock handling, feeding and loading facilities, plus shelter structures for animals, are permitted by right (Section 18.16.020(C)), with a twenty-acre minimum parcel (18.16.040). In the RE Residential Estate zone, 'Livestock shall be permitted' (Section 18.32.020(C)). In the RN Residential Neighborhood zone, livestock 'shall be permitted per a minimum parcel area of one-half acre' (Section 18.36.020(D)). Larger commercial operations - hog farms, animal feed and sales yards, fur farms, and similar - are conditional uses needing a use permit in the AG zone (18.16.030). The Animal Control Ordinance bars letting livestock stray or run at large (Section 6.04.160(A)), and animal control officers 'shall take up and impound all stray animals and livestock' (Section 6.04.180).