Unincorporated Kern County does not mandate spaying or neutering of pets. Owners of unaltered dogs instead pay higher license fees ($60 per year versus $15 for altered dogs), and California law requires shelters and rescues to sterilize dogs before adoption.
The Kern County Animal Services Commission recommended a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in 2023, but the Board of Supervisors has not adopted it, so sterilization remains voluntary for privately owned pets. The county instead uses fee incentives: an altered dog license costs $15 for one year or $30 for three years, while an unaltered dog license costs $60 for one year or $120 for three years. The statewide default still applies -- under Food and Agricultural Code section 30503, shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups may not sell or give away any dog that has not been spayed or neutered, with a deposit exception when a veterinarian certifies the dog is too sick or injured for surgery.
There is no penalty for keeping an unaltered pet with a current license. Keeping an unlicensed dog over four months of age violates Kern County Code chapter 7.08 and can result in citations from Kern County Animal Services.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ridgecrest, CA
Aircraft noise in Ridgecrest is regulated by the FAA and the adjacent Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS). Local ordinances do not govern military or...
Ridgecrest, CA
Ridgecrest prohibits unnecessary noise that disturbs residents under its municipal code. Quiet hours are generally enforced from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential...
Ridgecrest, CA
Persistent barking that constitutes a nuisance is prohibited under the Ridgecrest Municipal Code. Ridgecrest Animal Control responds to barking dog complaints.
Ridgecrest, CA
Construction noise in Ridgecrest is restricted to daytime weekday and Saturday hours under the RMC. No construction is permitted on Sundays without special a...
Ridgecrest, CA
Ridgecrest regulates street parking under Chapter 15 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the RMC. Certain streets have time-restricted or prohibited parking zones.
Ridgecrest, CA
Large commercial vehicles parked in residential zones in Ridgecrest are subject to RMC zoning and traffic regulations.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Kern County.
See how Ridgecrest's mandatory spay/neuter rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.