Lynwood, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 8-1.11 divides its head-count ceiling by housing type. A single-family dwelling may keep a maximum of three dogs and cats combined, two rabbits, three domestic birds, fowl, guinea pigs or other rodents, and two snakes or similar animals, but the code caps the household at five animals overall even if the per-species sub-limits are not individually exceeded. A unit in a multiple-family residence, expressly including a mobile home inside a mobile home park, is held to a stricter one dog, one rabbit, two cats, two birds, two rodents and two reptiles, with an overall four-animal cap.

Subsection c grandfathers any residence that already exceeded these numbers on the ordinance's effective date: those animals may stay, but no replacement or additional animal may be added until the household falls back under the limit, whether through death or permanent departure of an existing animal. The Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), which enforces animal control for Lynwood under contract, and the city's own animal control officer respond to over-limit complaints; because section 8-1.11 sets no penalty of its own, a violation defaults to a misdemeanor under section 1-5, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in the Los Angeles County jail, though the enforcing officer may instead cite the offense as an infraction under 1-5(a)(3).