Los Angeles, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog limit
- 3 dogs over 4 months of age per premises
- Cat limit
- 5 cats over 4 months of age per premises
- 4+ cat requirement
- All must be kept indoors, spayed/neutered, and microchipped
- Registration
- Required with Department of Animal Services for 4+ cats
- Exemption
- Licensed Pet Shops, Dog Kennels, and Cat Kennels with valid permits
Summary
Los Angeles limits residents to 3 dogs and 5 cats over 4 months of age per premises; owners of 4 or more cats face additional indoor, spay/neuter, microchip, and registration requirements.
(a) Dogs. No person shall keep or maintain more than three (3) dogs over four (4) months of age at any premises, including any Dwelling Unit as defined in Section 12.03, or at any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises that does not constitute a Dwelling Unit.
(b) Cats. No person shall keep or maintain more than five (5) cats over four (4) months of age at any premises... Any person who keeps or maintains more than three (3) cats at any such location shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Notwithstanding Section 53.15.2(b)(1), all cats shall be kept solely indoors;
2. All cats shall be spayed or neutered, unless exempt under Section 53.15.2(b)(2)E.;
3. All cats shall be implanted with an animal identification device, such as a microchip, identifying the owner of the cat;
4. The location where the cats are kept or maintained shall be registered with the Department of Animal Services using a Department approved form...
(c) Exceptions. The restrictions in this section shall not apply to any premises operating as a Pet Shop, Dog Kennel, or Cat Kennel pursuant to a valid permit issued by the Department.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 53.06.1 caps the number of dogs at 3 and cats at 5 (both over 4 months old) per premises, including dwelling units. Anyone keeping 4 or 5 cats must comply with four additional requirements: keep all cats strictly indoors, have all cats spayed or neutered (unless medically exempt), implant all cats with a microchip identifying the owner, and register the premises and cat count with the Department of Animal Services. Licensed pet shops, dog kennels, and cat kennels with valid permits are exempt from the numerical limits.
Violations & Fines
Violations are misdemeanors. The Department may also revoke permits for non-compliant kennel operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own 4 cats in Los Angeles?
Is there a limit on how many dogs I can have?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles 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.