Vacaville, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog limit
- 3 dogs over 4 months old
- Cat limit
- 3 cats over 4 months old
- Rabbit limit
- 6 adult rabbits
- Applies to
- Residential zoning districts only
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor/infraction, Penal Code § 19.8
Summary
VMC § 6.04.220 caps residential households at three dogs or three cats over four months old, and six adult rabbits, on any lot in a residential zoning district. Keeping more without a permitted exception is unlawful and carries a set penalty.
A. It is unlawful for anyone to keep, maintain, board or harbor more than three dogs or three cats over four months old on any lot or premises in residential districts in the City designated in the zoning ordinance (Title 14). B. It is unlawful for anyone to keep, maintain, board or harbor more than six adult rabbits on any lot or premises in residential districts in the City designated in the zoning ordinance except as otherwise permitted in the zoning ordinance (Title 14). An adult rabbit is one that has reached the age of sexual maturity.
Full Breakdown
220, titled 'Permitted number of dogs, cats, and rabbits in certain districts,' makes it unlawful to keep, maintain, board, or harbor more than three dogs or three cats over four months old on any lot or premises within a residential district as designated in the zoning ordinance, Title 14. The same section separately caps adult rabbits at six per lot in residential districts, unless the zoning ordinance otherwise permits more; an adult rabbit is defined as one that has reached sexual maturity. The four-month cutoff means litters of puppies or kittens under that age do not count toward the three-animal cap, giving owners time to place them before the limit applies.
The cap is tied to the residential zoning designation under Title 14, so it does not automatically extend to agricultural or other non-residential districts. This section was last amended in 2015 (Ord. 1887) and originally set in 1986 (Ord. 1286), with an intermediate 2006 amendment (Ord. 240.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than three dogs, three cats, or six adult rabbits on a residential lot violates § 6.04.220 and, per § 6.04.240, is punishable as a misdemeanor or infraction under Penal Code § 19.8. The Solano Animal Control Authority, through its Humane Animal Services contract, is the agency that investigates and cites over-limit households.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I legally own in Vacaville?
Is there a limit on cats in Vacaville homes?
Can I keep more than six rabbits in Vacaville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vacaville
California rules heatmap·Compare Vacaville to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Solano County handle pet limits.