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

Tehama County controls animal numbers chiefly through its dog-licensing and kennel rules in Title 7 of the County Code. The County's published guidance states that 'no person shall own or keep more than five dogs over the age of four months on any lot or premises as a private dog owner,' and that anyone keeping or owning more than five such dogs must have the lot or premises designated and licensed as either a commercial kennel or a hobby kennel, or alternatively hold a working-dog license. Before applying for a kennel designation, the County advises confirming that the parcel's zoning allows it with the Planning Department. Separately, every dog four months of age or older in the unincorporated county must be licensed: owners apply to the Tehama County Animal Care Center, generally within 30 days of acquiring the dog, and must provide a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian showing a current rabies vaccination. Licensing is sold through DocuPet, with published fees for an altered dog of $15 (1 year), $25 (2 year), or $30 (3 year), and for an unaltered dog $35 (1 year), $50 (2 year), or $75 (3 year), plus a senior discount for altered dogs. The County Zoning Code also caps certain pets: no more than five Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs may be kept as a pet in the RE and R-1 residential districts (and in combination with dogs no more than five animals total), with pigs over four months required to be neutered/spayed and licensed.