Milpitas, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Combined dog/cat limit
- 4 per household over age 4 months
- Adoption-org foster limit
- Up to 7 combined
- Bird cap
- 20 caged birds
- Small-animal cap
- 10 (mice, rabbits, hamsters, etc.)
- Exception permit fee
- $20, 12-month term
- Repeat-violation remedy
- Impoundment after 3+ violations in 12 months
Summary
Milpitas caps household pets at a combined total of four dogs and/or cats over four months old under Section V-210-7.02-1, and separately bars keeping any animal on a residential lot within 300 feet of another owner's home under Section V-210-7.01 unless an exception applies.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, have in custody or control, or to maintain any animal upon any lot in any residentially zoned district (pursuant to the provisions of Title XIII of the Milpitas Municipal Code) when that lot is located within three hundred feet (300′) of any residential building owned by someone other than the owner or custodian of said animal or the tenant of said owner or custodian. ... Dogs and/or cats, as defined in Section V-210-2, are allowed in a number not to exceed a combined total of four (4) dogs and/or cats over the age of four (4) months. ... Authorized volunteers of City of Milpitas permitted animal adoption organizations who provide shelter to stray animals in their own homes may have up to a combined total of seven (7) dogs and/or cats over the age of four (4) months at their homes at any one time.
Full Breakdown
Section V-210-7.01 sets the base rule for residentially zoned lots: it is unlawful to own, possess or maintain any animal on a residential lot located within 300 feet of a residential building owned by someone other than the animal's owner, custodian, or their tenant, unless an exception in Section V-210-7.02 applies. That exception list is where the household cap sits: Section V-210-7.02-1 allows a combined total of up to four dogs and/or cats over four months old per household, Section V-210-7.02-2 allows caged birds up to 20 and up to 6 backyard chickens, Section V-210-7.02-3 allows up to 10 caged small animals such as mice, rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters, and Section V-210-7.02-4 allows any number of terrarium or aquarium animals.
Volunteers for a City-permitted animal adoption organization who foster strays in their own homes may keep up to a combined seven dogs and/or cats at once under the same subsection. Anyone who wants to exceed these numbers, or keep an otherwise-restricted animal, must apply for a permit under Section V-210-7.03, pay a nonrefundable $20 application or renewal fee under Section V-210-7.04, and hold it for a 12-month term subject to renewal under Section V-210-7.05; the Administrator weighs public need against safety, sanitation, noise and the applicant's compliance history under Section V-210-7.08 before issuing, denying or revoking it.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the four-dog-or-cat combined limit, or any of the type-specific caps in Section V-210-7.02, without a permit violates Section V-210-7.01. A denied or revoked permit can be appealed to an administrative hearing within 10 days under Sections V-210-7.06 and V-210-7.07. After three or more violations of the animal-limit rules within any 12-month period, Section V-210-7.09 lets the City impound the excess animals at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I legally keep in Milpitas?
Can I apply to keep more than four pets?
What happens if I keep too many pets without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milpitas
California rules heatmap·Compare Milpitas to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle pet limits.