Bishop, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

The unincorporated county does not impose a simple maximum number of pets per household in its animal code. Licensing through DocuPet applies per-dog with no multi-pet discount, confirming there is no flat household limit. The key numeric threshold is the kennel definition in Inyo County Code Chapter 8.20: a "kennel" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises where five or more dogs five months of age or older are kept or maintained for the purpose of breeding and raising dogs for sale, excepting licensed veterinary hospitals and pet shops. Keeping that many dogs for breeding/sale brings a property within kennel regulation, and commercial kennels in certain zones require a conditional use permit under the zoning code. Apart from the kennel rule, the number of animals is effectively limited by the general nuisance and maintenance provisions in Code section 18.78.310, which require that animals not be kept in unsanitary conditions or in a manner that damages property, disturbs neighbors with incessant noise, or otherwise creates a public nuisance; animal-related complaints in the county have frequently stemmed from too many animals in unclean conditions. So while there is no hard cap on companion animals, overcrowding that produces odors, noise, or unsanitary conditions is enforceable.