Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 6 caps the number of dogs and cats kept at one residence, with kennel or cattery permits required above the limit. Single-family lots commonly allow up to four dogs without special review.
Bakersfield typically limits a single-family residence to four dogs and a similar small number of cats, with additional animals requiring a kennel permit or special-use review through the planning department. Apartment and multi-family unit limits are stricter. Owners exceeding the limit must apply for a kennel or cattery permit, which involves zoning compatibility, neighbor notice, and inspection by Bakersfield Animal Care to confirm humane housing, sanitation, and noise control. Service and assistance animals do not count toward the cap under federal Fair Housing protections.
Keeping more pets than allowed without a kennel permit is a code violation with administrative fines of 100 to 500 dollars per offense, plus orders to reduce the household count.
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not have breed-specific legislation (BSL) targeting pit bulls, Rottweilers, or other specific dog breeds. California Food and Agricultural C...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield enforces animal hoarding through Chapter 6 pet-limit rules combined with California Penal Code Section 597 cruelty laws when neglect, unsanitary ...
See how Bakersfield's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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