Palm Desert, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 6.28.070 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code sets one household cap for the City of Palm Desert: no more than four animals of any combination on residential premises. The cap counts animals, not species, so four dogs, four cats or any mix of the two reaches the limit. The only animals left out of the count are kittens under the age of three months and puppies under the age of four months. Once a kitten reaches three months or a puppy reaches four months, it counts toward the four.

The limit sits beside other rules that narrow what a household can keep. Section 6.28.110 prohibits livestock and fowl and states that the keeping of any animal other than a common household pet, such as a dog or cat, is prohibited, so the four-animal cap operates inside that list. Section 6.28.080 prohibits backyard breeding: no person can breed, sell, transfer or give away any dog, or any part of a litter, bred or reared on a property zoned for residential use. Kennels and pet shops need a current business license and a separate annual kennel license from the health officer, and catteries need a separate annual cattery license, under § 6.12.120.

Counted animals also carry duties. Under § 6.12.160, every dog and cat over the age of four months must be microchipped through the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. Under § 6.12.150, an unaltered dog or cat must be spayed or neutered, backed by a certificate of sterility, or in the case of a dog covered by an unaltered dog license. Animals owned by recognized breeders with a valid city business license under Chapter 5.04 are exempt from that spay and neuter section. Dog licenses must be renewed within 30 days of expiration under § 6.12.130.

Enforcement comes from the animal control officer and the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, which operates the shelter. Under § 6.28.150, keeping an animal in contravention of Title 6 is declared a public nuisance that the city manager or designee, the animal control officer, the county health officer and peace officers can summarily abate, and the owner reimburses the city's verification and enforcement costs.