In unincorporated Merced County, a household may keep up to four (4) dogs or cats over the age of four months; five or more requires a special permit. The zoning code treats a kennel of 5 dogs or fewer as an Administrative Permit use and 6 or more dogs as a Conditional Use Permit, referencing County Code Chapter 7.
According to Merced County Animal Services, each household may only have four dogs or cats over the age of four months; if you have five or more, you are required to obtain a special permit (a kennel or cattery permit). This animal-control limit works alongside the County's Unified Development Ordinance, which classifies a 'Kennel (5 dogs or less)' as an Administrative Permit use and a 'Kennel (6 or more dogs)' as a Conditional Use Permit use in agricultural zones, both governed by Merced County Code Chapter 7 (Table 2-1, with Section 18.60.140 applying to the larger kennel category). Dogs and cats counted toward the limit must also be currently licensed and vaccinated where required. Because the animal-control household limit and the zoning kennel thresholds operate together, anyone approaching five or more animals should contact both Merced County Animal Services (for the permit) and Community and Economic Development (for zoning). For licensing questions the County lists (209) 385-7436.
Keeping five or more dogs or cats over four months of age without the required permit can result in citations and impoundment by Merced County Animal Services. Operating a kennel without the required zoning permit is a code enforcement matter for Community and Economic Development.
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