San Bernardino County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Pet limits for unincorporated San Bernardino County come from Development Code Section 84.04.090 and Table 84-5 (Animal Keeping Allowed as Accessory Use). A combination of dogs and/or cats is allowed at 2 per parcel or unit on lots under 7,200 sq ft, 3 per parcel on 7,200-9,999 sq ft, 4 per parcel on 10,000-19,999 sq ft, and 5 per parcel on lots of 20,000 sq ft or more. The same lot-size schedule applies to pot-bellied pigs (under 200 lbs). A key footnote states that five or more dogs and/or cats constitutes a private kennel or cattery, which is subject to Section 84.04.060 and requires a Special Use Permit (Chapter 85.14) plus County Public Health Department approval. Lots with attached multi-family structures under 7,200 sq ft are limited to any combination of two dogs, cats, and/or pot-bellied pigs per unit. These limits are zoning-based; certain incorporated and contract cities served by Animal Care (such as Big Bear Lake, Yucaipa, and Highland) have their own separate lot-size limits and are not the county rule. Separately, every dog over four months old in the unincorporated area must be licensed and currently vaccinated for rabies (County Code 32.027-32.029).