Sonora, CA Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Whether livestock can be kept on a given parcel in unincorporated Tuolumne County is determined by the property's zoning district under the county zoning code (Title 17). Agricultural ('A') and rural zones generally allow horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and similar farm animals, while smaller residential lots are more limited—so owners should confirm the rules for a specific parcel with the Tuolumne County Community Development / Planning Department. The County Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 6.04, Ord. 3311, 2017) defines 'domestic animal' broadly to include horses, donkeys, mules, burros, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas, camels, rabbits, fowl, and other animals raised as farm or livestock animals. The chapter prohibits any person owning or controlling a domestic animal from permitting it to run at large, or pasturing, staking, or tying it on any street, road, alley, park, or other public property, or on private property without the owner's consent. Owners must keep stables, barns, yards, stalls, pens, and coops clean and sanitary and provide adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care. Impounded large livestock have specific holding periods—for example, bovine animals not redeemed are turned over to the State Bureau of Livestock Identification, and horses, mules, sheep, swine, or burros are held at least ten days. An 'agricultural kennel' (five or more dogs used for herding on a commercially zoned 'A' parcel) is separately recognized for working-dog operations.