Sonora, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Unincorporated Tuolumne County does not impose a simple numeric limit on how many pets a household may own. Instead, the County Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 6.04, Ord. 3311, 2017) defines a 'kennel' as any premises where dogs or cats are kept in the following numbers for more than five weeks in any calendar year, whether for pleasure, profit, breeding, or exhibiting: five (5) or more dogs; seven (7) or more cats; or seven (7) or more dogs and cats in any combination, provided that a combination including five or more dogs counts as a kennel. Reaching any of these thresholds means the keeper must obtain a kennel license. Before the license is issued, the applicant must get proof from the Community Resources Agency that the parcel is zoned for a kennel; if it is not, the applicant must apply for and qualify for a conditional use permit. Kennels must meet minimum care and maintenance guidelines set by the Animal Control Manager (consistent with state and federal standards), and the license holder must report changes in location, type, or number of animals within three business days. A separate 'agricultural kennel' category covers five or more dogs used for herding in conjunction with a commercial agricultural operation on a parcel zoned 'A' (Agricultural). Knowingly violating the kennel-license requirements is a misdemeanor.