Shasta County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

080(A) makes it unlawful for any person to own or possess more than six dogs over four months old on any single lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, vessel, or living accommodation, except as the section itself allows and except for legal uses already in place when the chapter was enacted. Owners who want to keep more than six can apply to the sheriff's office animal regulation unit for a dog hobbyist permit or, for agricultural properties zoned for full-time agricultural use, a ranch dog owner permit covering up to twenty dogs kept for personal, recreational, or agricultural purposes such as herding or protecting livestock.

A non-commercial dog sanctuary permit is required separately for anyone keeping more than twenty dogs for non-commercial, philanthropic, or charitable purposes, and a commercial animal establishment permit covers larger for-profit operations. Each permit runs for one year, requires proof of current rabies vaccination for every dog, and can carry conditions the animal regulation unit sets for the dogs' humane care; none of these permits excuses the holder from separately required zoning, use permit, or building approvals. 040, or breach of a permit condition, with an appeal available to the sheriff.