El Dorado County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Unlicensed limit
- 4 dogs or 4 cats per home
- License trigger
- 5th dog or cat kept
- Permit required
- Special use permit, § 6.25.020
- Litters allowed
- Max 3 sold per year
- Confinement hours
- Enclosed 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- First-offense fine
- $50 per animal, § 6.08.040
Summary
El Dorado County classifies any home keeping five or more dogs, or five or more cats, at least four months old as a 'noncommercial kennel' or 'noncommercial cattery' under Code section 6.04.020. Reaching that fifth animal triggers a mandatory Animal Control license plus a special use permit under section 6.25.020, so households effectively cap out at four dogs or four cats before licensing kicks in.
Kennel means any enclosure, premises, building, structure, lot or area in or on which five or more dogs of at least four months of age are kept, harbored or maintained. ... Noncommercial cattery means any place where five or more live domestic cats of at least four months of age are kept or maintained solely for the use or hobby of the householder or owner. Noncommercial kennel means any place where five or more live domestic dogs of at least four months of age are kept or maintained solely for the use or hobby of the householder or owner. ... All noncommercial kennels and catteries shall require a special use permit for such purpose.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Title 6 of the El Dorado County Code does not print a blanket 'no more than X pets' rule; instead it regulates through its kennel definitions. 020 defines a 'kennel' as any enclosure or premises where five or more dogs of at least four months of age are kept, harbored or maintained, and separately defines a 'noncommercial kennel' (five or more dogs) and a 'noncommercial cattery' (five or more cats) kept solely for the hobby of the householder. 010(A) through (E). , no commercial boarding or grooming is allowed under the permit, and no sale signs may be posted on the property.
The Animal Control Officer can inspect the premises at any reasonable hour, and the license is not transferable and limits the household to the breeds listed on the permit. 070's ten-day notice procedure.
Violations & Fines
Keeping five or more dogs or cats without the required Section 6.25.020 permit is enforced the same as any other Title 6 violation: an infraction carrying a $50 fine for a first offense per animal per incident, $100 for a second, and $250 for a third or later offense under Section 6.08.040. A licensed noncommercial kennel or cattery that violates its permit conditions can also have its license revoked by the Director of Animal Control, appealable to the Board of Supervisors within ten days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I keep in unincorporated El Dorado County without a permit?
Does the same rule apply to cats?
Can a licensed noncommercial kennel sell puppies?
What happens if I keep five dogs without getting licensed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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