San Marcos, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 20.415.020 of the Zoning Ordinance lists "Dogs and Cats, Domestic" as a permitted use in the A-1/A-2/A-3, R-1-20, R-1-10/R-1-7.5, and R-2/R-3/MU zones, meaning no discretionary permit is needed to own pets up to the numeric ceiling. That ceiling is set in Table 20.415-3: cats and dogs are capped at a combined maximum of six domestic animals per lot, and the table's Additional Activity Requirement column states plainly that "Kennels not permitted," meaning a property cannot operate as a commercial or hobby kennel simply by staying under the six-animal cap.

Table 20.415-2 carries its own note for multifamily and mixed-use zoning: within the R-2, R-3, and MU zones, "any combination of these domestic animals may be kept, but no more than three (3) are allowed per unit," a tighter per-unit ceiling than the six-animal lot maximum that applies in single-family and agricultural zones. The same chapter's purpose section, 20.415.010, frames the intent behind these caps: to allow "appropriate, unobtrusive keeping of animals in a manner that does not inflict noise, smell, or other annoyance on adjacent properties." Anyone proposing to keep an animal type or number not listed in Table 20.415-2, including operating an actual kennel, must seek a determination from the Director under Section 20.415.020.C, which treats any use not specifically listed as prohibited unless the Director finds it comparable to a permitted use.