San Diego County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog threshold
- 7+ dogs = legally a kennel
- License required
- Kennel license from Animal Services
- Cat limit
- No numeric cap set
- Applies to
- Unincorporated area only
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, keeping seven or more dogs at one property makes it a legally defined 'kennel,' requiring a County Animal Services kennel license: there is no set numeric cap on cats.
"Kennel" means a facility, whether or not operated for profit, that keeps or maintains seven or more dogs at least four months old. It includes a facility owned or operated by an animal welfare agency, but does not include an animal shelter operated or established by the Department or a veterinary hospital operated by a veterinarian licensed by the State. A kennel also includes a facility with the requisite seven dogs that also keeps or maintains other animals. As used in this definition a "facility" means any combination of adjacent buildings, structures, enclosures or lots under common ownership or operated as one unit, to keep or maintain dogs.
(y) "Kennel house" means a protected space or enclosure in a kennel in which an animal is assigned to sleep, rest or be segregated from other animals.
(z) "Kennel operator" means a person who owns, controls or operates a kennel or who participates in the control or operation of a kennel.
(aa) "Leash" means any rope, leather strap, chain or other material six feet or less in length, intended to be held in the hand of a person for the purpose of controlling an animal to which it is attached.
(bb) "License tag" means the official tag the County or other authorized agency issues to a dog owner or custodian signifying the dog has been registered with that agency.
(cc) "Neutered" means a male animal whose testicles have been surgically removed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
San Diego County Code § 62.602(x) defines a 'kennel' as any facility, including a private home, that keeps or maintains seven or more dogs at least four months old, whether or not run for profit. Once a property crosses that seven-dog threshold, County Code § 62.641(a) makes it unlawful to operate without a kennel license issued by the Department of Animal Services, subject to inspection and conditions the Department sets. The threshold applies only in the unincorporated county; the 18 incorporated cities set their own limits. The code sets no separate numeric cap for cats kept alone.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed kennel (7+ dogs) is unlawful under § 62.641(a); the Department of Animal Services can deny, suspend or revoke a kennel license and inspect the property at any reasonable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I keep at my home in unincorporated San Diego County?
Is there a limit on how many cats I can own?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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