Tehama County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Cap
- 5 dogs over 4 months
- Over the cap
- Kennel license required
- Type I kennel starts at
- 6 dogs
- Cats
- Not numerically capped by county code
Summary
Unincorporated Tehama County, California caps private dog ownership at five dogs over four months old per lot; keeping more requires a licensed kennel under the county's kennel chapter.
No person shall own or keep more than five dogs over the age of four months on any lot or premises as a private dog owner. Person(s) keeping or owning more than five dogs over four months of age on any lot or premises shall have such lot or premises designated and licensed as a kennel, as defined in Chapter 7.20 of this Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Tehama County Code § 7.08.130 bars any private owner from keeping more than five dogs over four months of age on one lot or premises. Anyone keeping more than five must have that property designated and licensed as a kennel under Chapter 7.20, which sets tiered kennel types from Type I (six to nine dogs) up through Type V (thirty-one or more), with separate licensing, inspection, and record-keeping rules. The county's dog chapter does not cap cats: the former cat chapter, 7.10, was repealed in 2020 and left reserved. This five-dog cap applies only within the unincorporated area of Tehama County; Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama set their own pet-limit rules.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than five dogs without a kennel license can bring civil penalties, license denial, and enforcement action by the director of animal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I own in unincorporated Tehama County?
What happens if I want to keep six or more dogs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.