How Brentwood Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Brentwood maintains 142 local ordinances across all categories, and 10 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Brentwood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Bird Protection

Brentwood bans hunting, trapping, harming or possessing wild birds in city parks and open space. Municipal Code § 7.02.180(K) and (L) make it unlawful to molest, chase, shoot or trap any bird, or to remove eggs, nests or young, inside any city park or facility.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 7.02.180(K), (L). Minimum fine: $1,000 (misdemeanor). Max jail term: 6 months. Scope: City parks and facilities only. Enforcing agency: Parks and Recreation Department.

A violation of Section 7.02.180 is a misdemeanor under Section 7.07.020, punishable by a fine of at least one thousand dollars, up to six months in jail, or both. The city may instead issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.24. Parks and recreation staff and code enforcement officers are the enforcing agencies for on-site park violations.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs in Brentwood city parks must be leashed with a lead no longer than six feet, except in designated off-leash areas. Municipal Code § 7.02.180(R) also makes owners responsible for damage caused by their dog and for picking up its waste.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 7.02.180(R). Max leash length: 6 feet. Exception: Posted off-leash areas only. Owner duty: Remove and dispose of dog waste. Animal control agency: Contra Costa County Animal Services.

A violation of the six-foot leash requirement in Section 7.02.180(R) is a misdemeanor under Section 7.07.020, carrying a minimum fine of $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both; the city may instead issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.24. The dog's owner or handler is also liable for any damage the dog causes while in the park.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Brentwood's general commercial (C-2) zone permits a veterinarian or pet store outright but expressly carves kennels out of that permission, and the same "excluding kennels" split repeats across the city's commercial zones, so a clinic that also boards animals overnight needs a different use classification.

Key details: C-2 permitted use: Veterinarian or pet store allowed by right. Excluded: Kennels are not a permitted use. Boarding path: Conditional use permit under Chapter 17.830. Citation: Brentwood Municipal Code § 17.260.002(A). PD-38 parallel: Kennels need CUP under § 17.488.007(B).

Operating a kennel or boarding facility in a Brentwood commercial zone without the required conditional use permit is a zoning violation, and under § 1.20.010 any code violation is a misdemeanor by default, fine up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, unless charged as a graduated infraction ($100, $200, $500). Each day of unpermitted operation is a separate offense, and the city may pursue administrative citations under Chapter 1.24 in addition to any criminal charge.

Chickens & Livestock

Brentwood limits chickens, rabbits, and livestock to residential zones that allow them, with strict numeric caps and setbacks. The R-E zone permits up to 2 large livestock or 4 small livestock or 24 small animals per acre, and chicken houses must sit 60 feet from the front line and 40 feet from the sides or rear.

Key details: R-E zone livestock limit: 2 large or 4 small livestock per acre. R-E small animal limit: 24 small animals per acre. Chicken house setback: 60 ft front, 40 ft side/rear. Barn/stable setback: 100 ft front, 50 ft side/rear. Old enclosure rule: 20 ft from any dwelling, church, school.

A Chapter 6.08 violation is a misdemeanor under Section 6.08.040, punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to six months in jail, or both. Letting fowl or livestock run loose onto a neighbor's property is a separate violation under Section 6.08.030. Zoning violations of Chapter 17.670's setback and density standards are enforced through the city's general zoning enforcement and nuisance-abatement procedures.

Pet Limits

Brentwood residential properties may keep no more than five dogs or cats over six months old. A household wanting six or more dogs must get a use permit for a dog fancier's license, capped at 10 dogs per acre on at least a one-acre lot, with no odor or nuisance barking beyond the property line.

Key details: Household pet cap: 5 dogs or cats over 6 months. Dog fancier license threshold: 6+ dogs, use permit required. Minimum lot size for license: 1 acre. Max density under license: 10 dogs per acre. Governing section: BMC §§ 17.670.008(D), 17.670.009.

Keeping more than five dogs or cats without a dog fancier's license is enforced as a zoning violation under Section 1.20.010: a first infraction is punishable by a fine up to $100, a second within a year up to $200, and further violations up to $500, or the city attorney can charge a repeat offense as a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 and six months in jail. A licensed dog fancier who breaks any condition risks having the planning commission revoke the license outright after a hearing.

Pet Groomer Rules

Brentwood's zoning code flatly bars pet grooming and boarding from qualifying as a home occupation under Municipal Code Section 17.840.007(C). Anyone who wants to groom or board animals for pay must find space in a commercial or industrial zone that allows the use outright, and get the business permits required there, instead of running the operation out of a house.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 17.840.007(C). Rule: Pet grooming/boarding barred as a home occupation. Alternative: Must locate in a commercial/industrial zone. Eligible home permits: 1-year initial term, 3-year renewals. Enforcement: Director may revoke after notice and hearing.

Operating a home-based pet grooming or boarding business without a valid permit is an unpermitted use of residential property, enforceable by the community development department through the city's standard code enforcement process, which can include a notice to correct, an administrative citation, and civil penalties under the municipal code's general enforcement provisions. An existing home occupation permit found to cover a prohibited use, or held under misrepresentation, can be revoked by the community development director after notice and a hearing under Section 17.840.006(D).

Compared to other cities, Brentwood takes a harder line on pet groomer rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Breed Restrictions

Brentwood enforces Contra Costa County's behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog ordinance through Animal Services. Any dog that bites, attacks, or threatens a person or animal can be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, triggering mandatory containment, muzzle, insurance, and microchip requirements. California law preempts breed-specific bans.

Key details: Authority: Contra Costa Animal Services. State preemption: CA Food & Ag Code §31683. Potentially Dangerous: Secure enclosure + muzzle + insurance. Vicious: May be destroyed. Annual fee: ~$100+.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is permitted in Brentwood on agricultural and most residential lots, with hive setback requirements from property lines and registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Ag Code §29040. Brentwood's orchard agriculture makes beekeeping especially compatible.

Key details: Ag zones: No hive limit. Residential limit: Typically 2-4 hives. Setback: 10-20 ft from property line. State registration: CCC Ag Commissioner (§29040). Water source: Required on-property.

Exotic Pets

California bans most exotic pets statewide under Title 14 CCR §671, which preempts local ordinances. Prohibited species include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys, large constrictors, and most wild species. Brentwood enforces these state restrictions through Contra Costa Animal Services.

Key details: State authority: 14 CCR §671. Banned: Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys. Permitted: Most captive-bred reptiles, small rodents. Enforcement: CCAS + CDFW. Fines: $500-$10,000+.

Wildlife Feeding

Wildlife in Brentwood (deer, coyotes, turkeys, raccoons, hawks, and mountain lions in nearby Los Vaqueros Watershed) is protected under state law and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Feeding wildlife is prohibited, and most species cannot be trapped or relocated without a CDFW depredation permit.

Key details: Agency: CDFW. Feeding wildlife: Prohibited. Trapping: Requires CDFW permit. Rehabilitation: Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Protected birds: Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Brentwood actively enforces its wildlife feeding requirements.

The Bottom Line

Brentwood is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 10 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Brentwood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Brentwood's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.