Paramount, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 17.08.020(F) allows household pets in the R-1 zone when they are customarily incidental and accessory to a permitted principal residential use and no commercial activity is involved. The numeric limit sits in subsection (F)(1): no more than three adult animals of any species per dwelling unit. Two things fall outside the count, birds as specified in Section 6.44.020 of the Code and fish contained within an aquarium. An animal counts as an adult when it is either over four months of age or capable of reproducing, so a young puppy or kitten is not counted until it passes four months or can reproduce.

The same subsection bars whole classes of animals. Livestock including cattle, sheep and goats, horses, rabbits, rodents, poultry, and fowl are prohibited, and so are animals commonly classified as a wild species and potentially dangerous animals. Adherence to all applicable conditions and regulations of Title 6 of the Code is also required. If a question arises whether a species is readily classifiable as a household pet, the Planning Director can require that a permit be obtained for the animal under Chapter 6.40.

Section 6.44.020 covers homing pigeons: no person can keep or liberate them within the City for exercise or racing without a permit from the City Clerk, the application fee is five dollars, and a permit is valid for one year and renewable. Separately, § 17.04.010 defines a kennel as a place where four or more adult dogs or cats, or any combination, are kept. The R-2 chapter, 17.12, repeats the same three adult animal cap.