Livermore, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

030(A) sets Livermore's numeric pet-limit trigger: no person may own or keep any exotic animal, or six or more household pets, without first applying for and receiving an animal fancier permit from the Administrative Services Director, provided that the dog count within that six-pet total is capped at three, so a fourth dog over 12 weeks of age needs a permit even before the household reaches six pets overall. The application must include the applicant's contact information, the address where the animals will be kept, the property owner's information if different, the species and number of animals, a description of the housing facilities and their location on the lot, and the purpose for keeping the animals.

040 requires the animal control director, and sometimes the public works, planning and public health departments, to confirm the plan will not violate any law and will not create an odor, noise, dust, drainage, or safety problem for neighbors or the city as a whole before the permit issues. 050 requires yearly renewal, with a delinquent fee added if payment is more than 30 days late. New animals born or acquired during the permit year do not need a separate new permit if reported to the director in writing within 30 days, except that any household pet still needs its own permit application once it turns 12 weeks old.

020 carve out research and teaching animals held under a government or institutional permit, veterinary boarding facilities, agricultural beasts of burden on a permitted agricultural use, licensed horse-riding academies, and licensed pet shops, none of which count toward the six-pet or three-dog trigger.