Costa Mesa, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 3-14 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code sets a flat numeric cap: no person may keep, possess or harbor more than five animals over the age of four months on any premises. The only built-in exception is for a business establishment premises operating a licensed business that provides for the keeping of animals, such as a kennel or boarding facility. Anyone who wants to keep more than five animals on a residential property must apply to the police chief for a special animal permit through the same Chapter VI permitting process used for nondomesticated and other prohibited animals: a written application, a fee set by council resolution, and disclosures on housing, safety precautions and any prior incidents.

Younger animals are not counted toward the cap, since the section only applies to animals over four months of age, tracking the code's separate definitions of "kitten" and "puppy" as under four months. The cap applies per premises rather than per person, so a household of any size sharing one property is still limited to five qualifying animals absent a permit. The police chief can grant the permit with conditions, and an aggrieved applicant can appeal a denial to the city manager within 15 days under Section 3-151.