Solano County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixed pet cap in code
- None in Chapter 4
- Kennel trigger (dogs)
- Keeping dogs over 4 months as a business (sec. 4-85)
- Cattery trigger (cats)
- Keeping cats over 4 months as a business (sec. 4-85)
- Number-based nuisance
- Abatable by 'number or types' of animals (sec. 4-11)
- Dog licensing
- Required for dogs over 4 months (sec. 4-139)
Summary
Solano County Code Chapter 4 sets no fixed numeric limit on how many dogs or cats a household may keep in unincorporated areas. Instead, keeping dogs or cats over four months of age as a business, or in numbers that create a nuisance, can trigger kennel/cattery licensing or animal-nuisance rules. Dogs over four months must be licensed.
(b) A person shall be deemed to maintain or operate a commercial kennel if the person, without an applicable general business license in effect, keeps, harbors, or maintains dogs over four (4) months of age. (c) A person shall be deemed to maintain or operate a commercial cattery if the person, without an applicable general business license in effect, keeps, harbors, or maintains cats over four (4) months of age.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1868, passed April 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Solano County does not impose a simple cap (such as 'no more than three dogs') in County Code Chapter 4. Instead, the chapter regulates concentrations of animals through its kennel/cattery and nuisance provisions. Under Article VI, a person is deemed to operate a commercial kennel if, without an applicable general business license, they keep, harbor, or maintain dogs over four months of age, and a commercial cattery if they keep cats over four months of age (section 4-85); operating a kennel or cattery requires proper zoning and an annual license.
Separately, the 'animal nuisance' definition in section 4-11 includes causing offense or danger to public health, safety, or welfare 'by virtue of the number or types of animals maintained,' so a large number of animals that creates odor, unsanitary conditions, or disturbance can be abated as a nuisance under Article V. All dogs over four months of age must be licensed within 30 days (section 4-139), which functions as a per-animal control. Because the controlling limits come from zoning, business-licensing, and nuisance standards rather than a flat household cap, residents with many pets should confirm kennel/zoning requirements with the County.
Violations & Fines
Keeping dogs or cats over four months of age as a business without proper zoning and a kennel/cattery license violates Article VI and can lead to citation, license denial or revocation, and removal of animals. Maintaining animals in numbers that create a nuisance can be abated under Article V, including impoundment after a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I have in unincorporated Solano County?
Do I need a license for each dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Solano County
California rules heatmap·Compare Solano County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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