San Jose, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum combination
- 3 adult dogs + 2 adult cats
- Alternative combination
- 0 dogs, 5 adult cats
- Litter limit
- 1 litter per 12 months
- Who is liable
- Any resident, not just owner
- Code section
- SJMC § 7.40.020
Summary
San Jose caps every dwelling unit at a sliding scale of adult dogs and cats, up to five cats with no dogs, or three dogs with two cats, under Municipal Code § 7.40.020, enforced by the city's animal services officers.
A. It is unlawful for any person to maintain, at any dwelling unit, more than any of the following combination of cats and dogs: Zero (0) adult dogs and five (5) adult cats; or One (1) adult dog and four (4) adult cats; or Two (2) adult dogs and three (3) adult cats; or Three (3) adult dogs and two (2) adult cats.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
San Jose Municipal Code § 7.40.020 limits every dwelling unit to a sliding-scale combination of adult dogs and cats: zero dogs with five cats, one dog with four cats, two dogs with three cats, or three dogs with two cats. Only adult animals count toward the cap. Anyone who lives at a dwelling unit exceeding the permitted combination is in violation, whether or not they personally own the extra animal. The code also caps litters citywide, allowing no more than one litter per twelve-month period from all dogs and cats on a property, with exceptions for licensed veterinarians, permitted kennels or shelters, and registered animal rescuers.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the dog-and-cat combination at a dwelling unit is a code violation; an animal services officer can cite the resident, and the section applies to whoever lives there, not just the animal's owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs and cats can I have in San Jose?
Do kittens and puppies count toward the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle pet limits.