Truckee, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Private kennel threshold
- more than 4 dogs/cats over 6 months
- License required
- TMC § 8.01.320
- License term
- July 1 to June 30 annually
- Reviewing departments
- Community Dev., Health, Animal Control
- Revocation
- on investigated violation, § 8.01.380
Summary
Truckee doesn't cap pets outright, but keeping more than four dogs or cats over six months old turns a home into a 'Private Kennel' under Truckee Municipal Code § 8.01.020(n), which requires a kennel license under § 8.01.320. Cross the same four-animal line for a fee or breeding operation and it's a 'Commercial Kennel' instead.
"Kennel, Commercial" means any kennel maintained for the purpose of boarding dogs or cats for a fee, or any kennel where more than four dogs or cats are kept, harbored, or maintained for the purpose of breeding, raising or training for a fee or for sale, or any kennel that advertises as a kennel in any magazine, newspaper, or other public media. ... "Kennel, Private" means any kennel where more than four dogs and cats, over the age of six months, are kept, harbored or maintained for the use and enjoyment of the occupant for non-commercial purposes. ... It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain any kennel, as defined herein, without a valid kennel license from the licensing authority.
Full Breakdown
020 defines two thresholds that function as one. Subsection (n) defines a 'Kennel, Private' as any kennel where more than four dogs and cats, over the age of six months, are kept, harbored or maintained for the occupant's own non-commercial use and enjoyment, meaning a fifth dog or cat past that age triggers kennel status at a private home. Subsection (m) defines 'Kennel, Commercial' more broadly to include any kennel maintained to board dogs or cats for a fee, any kennel with more than four dogs or cats kept for breeding, raising or training for a fee or sale, or any kennel that advertises as one in a newspaper, magazine or other public media, regardless of the animal count.
320 makes it unlawful for any person to operate or maintain any kennel, as defined in the code, without a valid kennel license from the licensing authority. 380 if a Town department finds a violation.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.01.380 lets the licensing authority revoke a kennel license outright once a Town department investigates and finds a violation, with notice by personal delivery or certified mail. Keeping more than four dogs or cats without the required kennel license is separately unlawful under Section 8.01.320, and Truckee's general Chapter 1.02 penalty schedule applies to that violation, an infraction escalating to a misdemeanor with repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I have in Truckee without a permit?
Do I need a kennel license if I breed dogs for sale?
What's involved in getting a Truckee kennel license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Truckee
California rules heatmap·Compare Truckee to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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