Pasadena, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk animal sales
- Prohibited citywide
- Pet stores
- May sell animals in-store
- Exempt groups
- Rescues, humane societies, gov't agencies
- Adopted
- 2019, Ord. No. 7348
- Appeal window
- Hearing within 7 days of denial
Summary
Pasadena bans displaying animals for sale, adoption, barter, or exchange on any public sidewalk under Municipal Code Section 6.40.035, but exempts government agencies, nonprofit rescues, humane societies, permitted dog or cat shows, and permitted pet stores that sell or transfer animals inside the store. In practice, that means pet stores may sell animals in-store, just not on the sidewalk out front.
It is unlawful for any person to display animals for sale, adoption, barter, or exchange, whether for compensation or otherwise, on any public sidewalk within the city. This prohibition shall not apply to government agencies; non-profit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); humane societies; permitted dog or cat shows; or permitted pet stores which sell or transfer animals within the store.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
035(A) makes it unlawful for any person to display animals for sale, adoption, barter, or exchange, whether for compensation or otherwise, on any public sidewalk within the city. 035(B) carves out five exceptions: government agencies; nonprofit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); humane societies; permitted dog or cat shows; and permitted pet stores which sell or transfer animals within the store. The ordinance, added by Ordinance No. 7348 in 2019, targets curbside and sidewalk animal sales rather than retail sales generally, so a licensed pet store is free to sell or transfer dogs, cats, or other animals from inside its premises; it just cannot set up a display or cage on the public sidewalk to draw in buyers.
050. 40 does not otherwise restrict what a permitted pet store may sell inside its store, and it does not require pet stores to be adoption-only or to source animals from shelters or rescues; that restriction simply is not in the Pasadena code.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 6.40 is enforced under the citywide administrative citation procedure in Chapter 1.26, per Section 6.40.090, which authorizes an administrative fine for violations of the display restrictions. A person cited for sidewalk animal sales who disputes the citation may appeal in writing to the environmental health division manager, which must hold an informal hearing within 7 days and issue a written decision within 2 days after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Pasadena pet store sell puppies or kittens?
Can I sell puppies out of a box on the sidewalk?
What if I disagree with an animal-display citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
California rules heatmap·Compare Pasadena to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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