LA County Title 10.20.220 caps unincorporated single-family residences at three dogs over four months and five cats without a kennel or cattery permit. Higher counts require DACC permitting and zoning compatibility under Title 22.
LACO Title 10.20.220 limits unincorporated single-family residences to three dogs over four months old and five cats. Going over those counts requires a kennel permit (dogs) or cattery permit (cats) from DACC, plus zoning compatibility under LACO Title 22 (planning and zoning). Multi-family buildings often face stricter limits set by landlords or HOAs. DACC contract cities may keep the same limits or set their own; incorporated cities outside DACC service often have entirely separate ordinances. Pet limits do not displace the spay-neuter and microchip mandates, which apply regardless of count.
Exceeding pet limits draws administrative citations from DACC, with fines escalating for repeat violations. Persistent overcounts can trigger kennel-permit demands, zoning enforcement under Title 22, and in extreme cases animal seizure for welfare concerns.
See how Santa Monica's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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