Ceres, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- No-permit limit
- 3 domestic animals per household
- Kennel trigger
- 4+ dogs, six weeks or older
- Cat cap
- 3 cats, six weeks or older
- Governing chapter
- CMC Title 8, Chapters 1, 3, 4
- Enforcement
- Stanislaus County animal control ordinance
Summary
Ceres households can keep up to three domestic animals, dogs, cats, or other pets, before triggering the City's kennel permit and license requirement, which applies at four or more dogs six weeks or older.
The number of domestic animals permitted within the City which does not require a land use (kennel) permit or kennel license shall be the keeping of three or less domestic animals defined under section 08.01.01.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Ceres allows households to keep up to three domestic animals, dogs, cats, or similar household pets, without triggering a kennel permit, per Municipal Code § 8.04.010. The City defines a kennel as any premises keeping four or more dogs six weeks of age or older (§ 8.01.010), and separately caps household cats at three, six weeks of age or older (§ 8.03.010). Anyone exceeding these thresholds needs a land-use kennel permit or kennel license under Title 18 zoning, and unresolved violations are treated as a public nuisance enforceable under the Stanislaus County animal control ordinance adopted by § 8.02.010.
Violations & Fines
Keeping four or more dogs, or more than three cats, without a kennel permit violates § 8.04.010 and § 8.03.010, and is enforced as a public nuisance under the County's animal control ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pets can I keep in Ceres without a permit?
How many dogs before I need a kennel permit in Ceres?
Is there a separate limit on cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ceres
California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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