Ontario restricts livestock to agricultural and equine zones in the Development Code. Most livestock activity is in Ontario Ranch (New Model Colony). Standard residential zones prohibit cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.
Ontario's Development Code limits the keeping of large livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and llamas to specific agricultural, equine overlay, and rural zoning districts. Standard single-family residential zones in Ontario do not permit these animals. The city's Ontario Ranch area, formerly the New Model Colony, contains some of Southern California's last dairy land and continues to allow limited livestock uses as legacy operations transition under long-range specific plans. New subdivisions within Ontario Ranch are built under modern residential zoning and do not inherit livestock rights from adjacent legacy parcels. Swine are particularly restricted because of odor and health impacts and are generally only allowed under conditional-use permits on qualifying agricultural land. Slaughter of livestock for private use on residential or non-commercial parcels is prohibited. Manure management, fly control, and fencing requirements apply to any permitted operation, and the San Bernardino County Health Department coordinates on sanitation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario allows backyard fire pits under the California Fire Code as adopted. Wood pits must sit 25 feet from structures and be attended. SCAQMD no-burn days ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle livestock.
See how Ontario's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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