Lancaster, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

180(C) of the zoning code regulates 'Keeping of Small Animals' through a table that sets per-parcel limits by zone. In the R (urban residential), MDR (medium density residential) and HDR (high density residential) zones, a household may keep up to 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 3 aquatic animals, birds, rabbits, reptiles or rodents, but the table caps the combined 'Total Number of Animals per Parcel or Lot' at 5, meaning a household already at 3 dogs and 3 cats has little room left before hitting the citywide total.

In the SRR (semi-rural residential) and RR (rural residential) zones, the same 3-dog and 3-cat per-category limits apply, but the parcel-wide total rises to 8, and an additional 3 poultry or other small animals are also permitted within that total. These limits sit apart from the separate large-animal rules in subsection (B), which allow up to 8 horses, cows or similar large animals on Rural Residential lots, so a rural parcel can combine dogs, cats and livestock up to the respective caps in each subsection.

Enclosures used to house dogs or cats, such as kennels or runs, are classified as accessory structures under Sec. 180(G) and must comply with the development standards of the underlying zone, stay free of accumulated waste, and control odor and flies. Young animals born on-site to a permitted dog or cat may be kept until weaned under subsection (E), and the caps do not apply to service or therapy animals accommodated under fair housing law per subsection (F).