Butte County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Per-Household Numeric Cap (companion pets)
- None set in Chapter 4
- Personal Hardship Kennel Cap
- 10 dogs maximum
- Minimum Parcel – Personal Kennel
- 2 acres
- Minimum Parcel – Personal Hardship Kennel
- 1 acre
- Kennel Setback
- 150 feet from any property line
- License Required At
- 4 months of age (Chapter 4)
Summary
Butte County does not set a numeric cap on the number of household pets, but once an owner keeps enough dogs to trigger the 'kennel' definition in zoning section 24-165, a Minor Use Permit or Administrative Permit and a minimum two-acre parcel are required, and a personal hardship kennel may not exceed ten dogs.
Personal hardship kennels shall allow no more dogs than specified under the permit, not to exceed ten (10) dogs. All kennel structures and facilities shall be setback a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from any property line.
Full Breakdown
Butte County's per-household dog and cat limits are handled through two separate tracks. First, every dog four months of age or older must be currently licensed with Animal Control under Chapter 4 of the Butte County Code (Animals). Second, once the number of adult dogs kept on a parcel reaches the 'kennel' threshold, the keeping itself becomes a regulated land use under Butte County Zoning Code § 24-165 (Kennels). ' Kennel parcels must be at least two acres (one acre for personal hardship kennels), all kennel structures must be set back at least 150 feet from any property line, enclosures require an opaque fence of at least six feet, outdoor runs may be used only during daylight hours, and animal odors may not be detectable beyond the property line.
There is no separate numeric cap on cats in the county code; cat keeping is regulated under the same Chapter 4 nuisance and § 24-158 animal-keeping density rules described below.
Violations & Fines
Operating a kennel in violation of zoning § 24-165 (e.g., exceeding the dog count specified in the permit, exceeding ten dogs on a personal hardship kennel, or running an unpermitted kennel) is a zoning violation enforceable by Butte County Code Enforcement and Animal Control. Penalties include administrative citations, mandatory permit application, possible reduction of the dog count, and revocation of the kennel permit. Failure to license individual dogs under Chapter 4 is separately enforced by Animal Control through citation fees set on the Master Fee Schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I keep in unincorporated Butte County without a kennel permit?
Is a personal hardship kennel permanent?
Are there separate limits on cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
California rules heatmap·Compare Butte County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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