Fullerton, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

030(J) defines traditional domestic animals as dogs, cats and a separate list of small household pets, and sets the numeric ceilings for each. On a lot of 20,000 square feet or less, excluding duplexes, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes, a household may keep any combination of dogs and cats totaling four animals, plus offspring under four months old that do not count toward the cap. Lots over 20,000 square feet get one more, for a total of five adult dogs and cats. Keeping four or more dogs specifically requires the property to carry an R-1 or R-1P zone classification and a non-commercial kennel license issued by County Animal Control; going beyond the five-animal ceiling on a large lot needs a conditional use permit.

Duplex, apartment, condominium and mobile home units are held to a tighter standard: two adult dogs or cats, or one of each, per unit, plus offspring under four months. Separately, small household pets, defined to include hamsters, guinea pigs, white rats and mice, nonpoisonous snakes under six feet, turtles, nonpoisonous toads, lizards, salamanders, newts, chameleons, kangaroo rats, rabbits and birds, are capped at four per dwelling unit, not counting fish, with additional animals possible only through a conditional use permit reviewed by the planning department.

The section explicitly preserves any stricter limit imposed by a property owner, property manager or homeowners association, so a lease or CC&Rs can cut the numbers below what the city allows but never raise them above it.