Westminster, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog limit
- 3 dogs per household
- Cat limit
- 3 cats per household
- Combined dog/cat cap
- 6 aggregate
- Overall animal cap
- 6 animals over 4 months old
- Litter grace period
- Through weaning, max 4 months
Summary
Westminster caps households at three dogs or three cats, or six combined, under Section 6.12.020. A litter of pups or kittens can stay through weaning, but no longer than four months, and any household is capped at six animals over four months old overall.
Dogs, cats, parrots, canaries, parakeets, or other household birds or household pets, except as to conditions adversely affecting the public; provided, that no person or household shall possess in the city more than three dogs or three cats at any one time or an aggregate of six, with the exception that should a female dog or cat have a litter of pups or kittens, then the owner of such female animal may keep the litter through the weaning stage, but not any longer than four months.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4982734; v10 updated 2026-06-10).
Full Breakdown
" The section grants a narrow litter exception: if a female dog or cat has a litter, the owner may keep the pups or kittens through the weaning stage, but not longer than four months. 050 ("it is unlawful for any person to keep, possess or harbor more than six animals over the age of four months on any premises," except on a licensed business premises that keeps animals). 090. 070).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the three-dogs/three-cats or six-animal aggregate limit without an animal control permit violates Sections 6.12.020 and 6.12.050 and is subject to citation; animal control's investigation and permit denial process runs through Sections 6.12.060 through 6.12.090, with a ten-day window to appeal a denial to a hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I have in Westminster?
Can I keep a litter of puppies past the household limit in Westminster?
Is there an overall pet cap beyond dogs and cats in Westminster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
California rules heatmap·Compare Westminster to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle pet limits.