Alpine County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Alpine County's Animal Control Ordinance does not cap the number of pets a household may keep, but it defines a threshold. Under Section 6.04.020, a 'kennel' is 'premises where any person keeps five or more dogs and/or cats within the unincorporated portions of the county,' and the code exempts dogs, cats and other domestic animals under one hundred eighty days of age from that count. A related category, 'breeder exhibitor,' is defined as a person owning more than four but less than six dogs over six months of age meeting American Humane Society qualifications (6.04.020). Reaching the kennel threshold has zoning consequences: in the RE Residential Estate zone, 'dog and cat kennels' are a conditional use requiring a use permit (Section 18.32.030(D)), and in the AG Agriculture zone kennels are likewise a conditional use needing a use permit (Section 18.16.030(C)). All dogs must still be individually licensed regardless of count (Section 6.04.050), and dogs covered by a kennel license must wear durable identification (Section 6.04.120). Owners at or above five dogs/cats should contact County Community Development about a kennel use permit and the Sheriff about licensing.