Hawthorne, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Household pet limit
- 3 per lot, any combination
- Applies in
- R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones
- Excluded from count
- Simians, dangerous animals, venomous/constricting reptiles
- Kennel threshold (dogs)
- 4+ dogs requires registration
- Kennel threshold (cats)
- 4+ cats meets "Cat kennel" definition
Summary
Hawthorne caps household pets at three per residential lot, in any combination, as part of the citywide accessory-use standards for the R-1 through R-4 zones. Simians, other dangerous animals and poisonous or constricting reptiles do not count toward that limit because they are not permitted household pets to begin with.
Permitted accessory uses: ... 4. Household pets (but not including simians or dangerous animals or poisonous or constricting reptiles); provided, the total number in any combination thereof shall not exceed three;
Full Breakdown
" The same subsection excludes simians, other dangerous animals, and poisonous or constricting reptiles from the definition of household pet altogether, so those species are not an option at any number without separate zoning relief. 005 separately defines a "Cat kennel" as four or more cats over four months old kept on one lot. 160 unless the animals fall outside that zoning definition of household pet. The same subsection also caps private, noncommercial aviaries at twelve birds and excludes pigeons and birds of prey, showing the city applies numeric caps animal-by-animal rather than a single blanket household total.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than three household pets on a residential lot violates the accessory-use standard in Section 17.20.160 and is enforceable as a zoning code violation under the Title 1 general penalty, Section 1.20.010, a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, or prosecutable instead as an infraction or civil administrative citation. Keeping four or more dogs or cats without kennel registration additionally violates Chapter 6.12's registration requirement, enforceable through the bureau of animal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I legally keep in Hawthorne?
Do exotic pets count toward my three-pet limit?
Does the pet limit apply in every residential zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle pet limits.