Lake County, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Raising livestock is a core land use across unincorporated Lake County, and the County's animal code (Chapter 4, Animals, Fish and Fowl) includes provisions addressing livestock that run at large or stray. The County Code defines livestock straying broadly in terms of animals found on public land or on land belonging to someone other than the owner without permission and posing a threat to public safety. Layered on top is California's statewide livestock framework in the Food and Agricultural Code, which governs estrays (stray livestock), impoundment and sale of estrays, owner liability for damage done by straying stock, and the state's fencing and range rules. In 'open range' or unfenced areas the duty to fence livestock out can fall on the neighbor rather than the stock owner, while in other contexts the stock owner must fence animals in; the precise duty depends on local conditions and any applicable district. Brand inspection and transport of cattle are also state-regulated through the California Department of Food and Agriculture. For most Lake County landowners, the practical rules are: keep stock on appropriately zoned acreage, maintain fencing adequate to prevent animals from straying onto roads or neighbors' land, and prevent nuisance or cruelty conditions. The number and density of livestock allowed is set by the parcel's agricultural or rural-residential zoning rather than a flat countywide head-count, so confirm allowances with Lake County Community Development. Animal welfare for livestock is enforceable under California Penal Code 597. Confirm the exact straying-livestock section in Chapter 4 of the County Code.