Berkeley caps the combined number of dogs and cats kept at a single residence under BMC Title 6, with kennel permits required for higher counts and additional rules for unaltered animals and licensing.
Berkeley Municipal Code Title 6 establishes per-residence limits on dogs and cats and requires a kennel permit for households exceeding the cap. The combined cap is intended to balance animal welfare, noise, and sanitation impacts on neighbors. Berkeley Animal Care Services administers licensing and inspects properties when complaints arise. All dogs over a minimum age must be licensed annually, with proof of rabies vaccination. Service animals and certain documented foster placements through registered rescues may be excluded from the count. Multi-unit buildings may face additional landlord rules layered atop city limits.
Exceeding household limits without a kennel permit can result in administrative citations, daily fines, and required rehoming. Unlicensed dogs incur separate fines plus retroactive license fees.
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