Colusa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base limit
- 4 pets on a standard lot
- Over 10,000 sq ft
- 6 pets allowed
- Over 1 acre
- 8 pets, max 6 per species
- Litters exempt
- Up to 8 immature animals excluded
- Zones covered
- R-1 through R-4, A-T, U-T, MU, RSC
- Max penalty
- Up to $5,000 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
In Colusa County's residential and transitional zones, households may keep up to four small domestic pets like dogs and cats. Parcels over 10,000 square feet may keep six, and parcels over one acre may keep eight, capped at six of any single species under Section 44-4.110.010. Up to eight immature puppies or kittens don't count toward the total.
44-4.110 Animal Keeping. ... This section applies to the keeping of animals in residential and transitional zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, A-T, U-T, MU, and RSC). ... 44-4.110.010 Household Pets. A. ... The keeping of up to four small domestic household pets is allowed in all residential and transitional zones. B. For parcels that exceed 10,000 square feet, up to six small domestic household pets may be kept. C. For parcels that exceed one acre, up to eight small domestic household pets may be kept, provided that there are no more than six animals of the same species (i.e., two dogs and six cats, or four dogs and four cats are permitted). D. Up to eight immature animals (i.e., puppies and kittens) shall not count against the total number of animals allowed.
Full Breakdown
Section 44-4.110 of the Zoning Code applies to animal keeping in unincorporated Colusa County's residential and transitional zones: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, A-T, U-T, MU, and RSC. Within those zones, Section 44-4.110.010 sets a sliding scale for household pets, defined as small domestic animals not raised for food or fiber, such as dogs and cats. A standard residential lot may keep up to four pets. Once a parcel exceeds 10,000 square feet, that allowance rises to six pets, and once it exceeds a full acre, up to eight pets are allowed, provided no more than six belong to the same species, so a household could keep two dogs and six cats, or four dogs and four cats, but not eight of one kind. Litters get separate treatment: up to eight immature animals, meaning puppies and kittens, do not count against the household total, so a mother cat's new litter won't put an owner over the limit while the kittens are still young.
These pet limits sit apart from the county's broader animal density point system in Section 44-4.110.020, which governs larger or hoofed animals like cattle, horses, and livestock rather than household dogs and cats, and apart from commercial animal keeping in agricultural zones, which Section 44-4.110 exempts entirely from these residential-zone limits.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more household pets than a parcel's size allows, or more than six of a single species, is a Zoning Code violation enforceable by the Director under Section 44-1.130.030. Conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months in jail, or both, and the county can require abatement, meaning rehoming the excess animals, under Chapter 42.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs and cats can I keep on a regular lot in unincorporated Colusa County?
Does a bigger lot let me keep more pets?
Do new puppies or kittens count toward my pet limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colusa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Colusa 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.