Imperial County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

The Imperial County zoning code sets household pet limits in residential zones. Under Section 90502.13 of the Land Use Code (Title 9), the R-1 single-family residential zone allows small domestic pets such as cats and dogs limited to five of any one or combination thereof. The same section separately allows up to five small fowl, rabbits or birds. These limits apply to ordinary household pet keeping; keeping a larger number of dogs can move an operation into commercial kennel territory, which is regulated differently and may require appropriate zoning or a permit. Separate from zoning, every dog over four months old in the unincorporated area must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed (consistent with California Health & Safety Code section 121690), so each dog you keep must be individually licensed and current on rabies vaccination. Finally, keeping animals in numbers that compromise their health and safety through overcrowding can rise to animal cruelty under California Penal Code section 597, independent of any numeric pet limit. If you plan to keep more than the residential limit, verify your zoning with Imperial County Planning & Development Services and check licensing requirements with Animal Care and Control at (442) 265-2655.