Without a kennel permit, the City of Turlock limits a dwelling to no more than three (3) dogs over four months and three (3) cats over six weeks (Municipal Code Section 6-1-105). Four or more dogs four months or older is a 'kennel' requiring a permit (Section 6-1-401). Rabbits and fowl have separate caps in Section 6-1-105.1.
Turlock caps household pets in its own Municipal Code. Section 6-1-105 ('Keeping household pets and domestic animals') states: 'Unless a permit has been obtained to operate a kennel, it shall be unlawful to own or keep at any dwelling more than three (3) dogs older than four (4) months and more than three (3) cats older than six (6) weeks.' So an ordinary home may keep up to three qualifying dogs and three qualifying cats; puppies and kittens under those ages don't count toward the limits. Going beyond three dogs (of four-plus months) crosses into 'kennel' territory: Section 6-1-401 defines a kennel as 'a place where four (4) or more dogs four (4) months or older are kept,' which triggers kennel permitting, run-construction standards, location rules (a kennel must be at least 40 feet from any dwelling and 150 feet from a public road under Section 6-1-414), inspections, and license fees (Article 4). Section 6-1-105.1 sets separate caps for other animals: four rabbits or hares, six domesticated fowl, six chinchillas/hamsters/white mice or similar (combined), and one potbellied pig. Section 6-1-105(b) also bars breeding any dog or cat without a Breeder Certificate from Animal Services. California has no statewide household pet-number cap, so these limits are Turlock's local rules. Bona-fide rescue groups can hold an agreed number of dogs/cats under a rescue permit without a kennel permit (Section 6-1-117).
Keeping more than three dogs (over four months) or three cats (over six weeks) without a kennel permit violates Section 6-1-105 and is enforced by Turlock Animal Services. Operating an unpermitted kennel (four-plus dogs) violates Article 4, exposing the owner to permit and inspection requirements, fees, and abatement. Breeding a dog or cat without a Breeder Certificate carries a minimum $500 fine under Section 6-1-601.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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In Turlock's residential (R) districts, barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing are prohibited (TMC 9-3-203). In commercial/industrial districts, ra...
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Beyond height, Turlock fences must meet TMC 9-3-203: 7 ft maximum (3 ft solid / 4 ft non-solid in front and corner side yards), no safety/visibility hazard, ...
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Turlock's zoning code does not publish a separate numeric retaining-wall height standard; the fence/wall provisions of TMC 9-3-203 set the 7-foot wall limit....
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Turlock provides green-waste collection and asks residents to properly dispose of yard waste. Backyard composting is allowed but not separately codified. Cal...
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Turlock allows artificial turf in residential parkway strips (the area between sidewalk and curb) under its alternative parkway-landscaping policy. Turf is n...
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Turlock encourages water-conserving, native and drought-tolerant landscaping but does not mandate native plants. For new and rehabilitated landscapes, the Ci...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in this county.
See how Turlock's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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