Long Beach, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base pet cap
- 4 weaned household pets per site
- Exempt from cap
- Fish, most rodents, caged birds
- Breeder exception
- Permitted litters kept until 4 months old
- Horses
- Only in Horse Overlay District (Ch. 21.38)
- Wild/dangerous animals
- Barred from residential zones
Summary
Long Beach caps household pets at four weaned animals per site under Municipal Code § 21.51.210, though the limit doesn't count fish, rodents other than rabbits, or caged birds kept indoors. A residential dog breeder permitted under § 6.16.190 can keep an entire litter until the puppies turn four months old.
The keeping of household pets shall be subject to the following limitations: A. Number. A total of not more than four (4) weaned household pets may be kept at one (1) site, unless any of the weaned pets are dogs bred pursuant to a permit issued under Section 6.16.190 of this code, in which case all such weaned dogs may be kept at one (1) site until such dogs have reached the age of four (4) months. This limitation shall not apply to fish, rodents (other than rabbits), or caged birds... B. Maintenance. Household pets shall be kept in a manner which does not damage or pose hazards to people or property and which does not generate offensive dust, odors or noise. ... D. Other Animals. Dangerous or wild animals as defined in Section 6.16.030 of the Municipal Code shall not be kept in any residential zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
210, part of the zoning code's accessory-use standards for residential districts, sets the base household pet cap at "not more than four (4) weaned household pets" per site. The section carves out three categories that don't count toward the four-pet ceiling at all: fish, rodents other than rabbits, and caged birds, provided the birds aren't allowed to fly free and are kept consistent with applicable health regulations, meaning a household could keep four dogs or cats plus an aquarium, a hamster, and a parakeet without exceeding the limit.
190, the entire litter of weaned dogs from that permitted breeding may be kept at the site until the puppies reach four months of age, after which the standard four-pet cap resumes. 210 requires household pets be kept in a way that "does not damage or pose hazards to people or property and which does not generate offensive dust, odors or noise", an independent nuisance-style standard that applies even to a household within the four-pet limit. 030 are barred outright from any residential zone under this section.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than four weaned household pets, or keeping animals that generate offensive noise, odor or property damage, violates LBMC § 21.51.210 and is enforced as a zoning violation under § 1.32.060: a notice with a 10-day cure period, then escalating $100, $250 and $1,000 misdemeanor citations for continued or repeated violations, alongside Title 6 animal-control enforcement for dangerous or wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs and cats can I have at my Long Beach home?
Can I keep an entire litter of puppies past the four-pet limit?
Are wild animals allowed as pets in Long Beach residential zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach 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.