Ventura County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Extra-pet cap
- 2x the base per-species max
- Eligibility
- Must meet min. lot area (Table 3)
- Permit required
- Zoning Clearance before adding
- Example
- 4 base dogs -> 8 extra max
Summary
Beyond the base pet limit, unincorporated Ventura County caps additional animals at double the standard per-species maximum, only on lots that meet a minimum size, and only with a Zoning Clearance.
a.Pet animals in addition to those permitted as pets pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.3 may only be kept on lots meeting the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' standard set forth on Table 3 (Sec. 8107-2.5.2).b.The total number of additional pet animals that may be kept shall be no more than two times the 'Maximum No. Allowed' identified in Table 1 for a given animal. For example, 4 dogs are allowed as pets. Up to 8 additional dogs would be allowed pursuant to this section. (Am. Ord. 4123—9/17/96)
(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)
c.The first increment of additional pet animals may only be allowed when the lot in question meets the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' standard for the zone in question as noted on Table 3. The second increment of pet animals may only be allowed when the size of the lot in question is three times its 'Minimum Lot Area Required'. For example, the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' in the R-E zone is 10,000 sq. ft.. An individual would be allowed 4 dogs as pets and an additional 4 dogs on a lot of 10,000 sq. ft. or more. An additional 4 dogs would be allowed on a lot of 30,000 sq. ft. or more.d.All animals required to be licensed by other agencies shall be licensed. All dogs and cats authorized by this section shall be licensed and spayed or neutered pursuant to Ventura County Animal Regulation Department.e.A Zoning Clearance shall be obtained by the owner of the animals prior to their being allowed on the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
To keep pets beyond the base 3.00 pet-animal-unit allowance, a property must first meet the minimum lot area required under the county's animal husbandry table, and even then the extra pets are capped at no more than two times the maximum number normally allowed for that species: for example, if 4 dogs are the base limit, up to 8 more may be kept, not an unlimited number. A Zoning Clearance must be obtained before the additional animals are allowed on the property, and all required licensing/spay-neuter rules still apply. This caps accumulation of animals in the unincorporated area; it isn't an unlimited-keeping allowance.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more animals than the doubled per-species cap allows, on an undersized lot, or without first obtaining the required Zoning Clearance, is a zoning violation subject to county enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep unlimited extra pets if I have a big lot in unincorporated Ventura County?
Do I need a permit to keep additional pets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.