Kings County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- 10+ dogs/cats
- Altered animals
- multiple animal permit (§4-33)
- Unaltered animals
- kennel permit (§4-41)
- Permit requires
- zoning-compliance letter + inspection
Summary
Housing ten or more altered dogs or cats in unincorporated Kings County makes the premises a kennel requiring a multiple animal permit, with a separate kennel permit for ten or more unaltered animals.
Every person who owns, manages, or operates a kennel housing ten or more altered dogs or cats shall obtain a multiple animal permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Kings County defines a kennel as any premises keeping ten or more dogs or cats over four months old. Sec. 4-33 requires anyone housing ten or more altered dogs or cats to obtain a multiple animal permit; Sec. 4-41 requires a kennel permit instead once any of the ten-plus are unaltered. Both permits need a written application listing capacity and purpose, a zoning-compliance letter from the county planning department, and a pre-issuance inspection, and each lapses automatically if the kennel use becomes prohibited for its zone under Sec. 4-37/4-45.
Violations & Fines
Keeping ten or more dogs or cats without the required multiple-animal or kennel permit is an infraction under Sec. 4-10; the permit can also be denied or revoked after a Sec. 4-15 hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I keep before needing a permit?
Does the permit override zoning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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