Nevada County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dogs/cats limit (R1, R2, R3, commercial, industrial)
- Not more than 3 total (any combination), over 6 months of age
- Parcels 0.5 acre or less
- Max 6 animals total, not to exceed 3 dogs, regardless of zoning
- Agricultural/rural & RA districts
- No numeric limit on dogs/cats
- Kennel trigger
- Kennel license required (General Code Ch. IV, Art. 1, Sec. 1.37)
- Kennel license fees
- Private 1-10 animals $72; Commercial 1-10 animals $109 (county fee schedule)
Summary
In unincorporated Nevada County, dogs and cats are limited to no more than 3 total in the R1, R2, R3, commercial, and industrial districts. On parcels of 0.5 acre or less, the maximum is 6 animals (not to exceed 3 dogs), regardless of zoning. Agricultural and rural districts have no limit. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel license.
Where a maximum number of dogs and cats is listed, any combination of these animals is permitted but may not exceed the total as shown in the Table. On parcels of 0.5 acres or less in size, the maximum is not more than 6 animals, not to exceed 3 dogs, regardless of zoning. Maximums apply to dogs and cats over 6 months of age. This table does not apply to commercial kennels which require a use permit as allowed in rural, commercial, and industrial districts, as required by the land use tables. In addition to the provisions of this Chapter, commercial and private kennels as defined in the Nevada County General Code, Chapter IV, Article 1, section 1.37 require a kennel license from the Nevada County Department of Animal Control.
Full Breakdown
Nevada County sets pet limits through its Animal Keeping and Raising standards (Sec. C). In the R1, R2, R3 residential districts and in commercial and industrial districts, the combined number of dogs and/or cats may not exceed 3. Any combination of dogs and cats is permitted up to that total, and the limits apply to dogs and cats over 6 months of age. 5 acre or less, the maximum is not more than 6 animals total, not to exceed 3 dogs. In the agricultural and rural districts (AG, AE, FR, REC, IDR, PD, TPZ, P&OS) and the RA district there is no numeric limit on dogs and cats.
37 require a kennel license from the Department of Animal Control, and commercial kennels in rural, commercial, and industrial districts require a use permit. The County's published Animal Control fees list private kennel licenses (1-10 animals) at $72 and commercial kennel licenses (1-10 animals) at $109, among other tiers.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than 3 dogs/cats in a residential, commercial, or industrial district, more than 6 animals (or more than 3 dogs) on a parcel of 0.5 acre or less, or running an unlicensed kennel violates the County's animal-keeping standards and kennel-license requirements, enforced by Animal Control and Code Compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I have in unincorporated Nevada County?
When do I need a kennel license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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