Animal Ordinances in Burbank, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Burbank or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Burbank has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Pet Limits

Under the Burbank Municipal Code, any premises keeping five or more dogs, cats, or a combination of them aged four months or older is a 'kennel' and requires a kennel permit. Fewer than five pets needs no kennel license.

Key details: Kennel Threshold: 5 or more dogs/cats. Code Section: BMC 5-1-100 (definitions). Age Counted: 4 months and older.

Operating an unpermitted kennel (5+ dogs/cats) violates Title 5; under BMC 5-1 penalty provisions a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or up to six months in county jail, or both.

Exotic Pets

CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §671 prohibits most wild and exotic animals as pets statewide. Pygmy goats allowed with a city permit (max 1 per property). Horses require permit and R-1-H zone designation with minimum 3,000 sq ft per horse.

Key details: State Ban: CA Code of Regs Title 14 §671. Pygmy Goat: Max 1 per property, permit required. Horses: Permit required, R-1-H zone only, 1 per 3,000 sq ft. Topic: Exotic Pets.

Confiscation of prohibited animals. Fines $500 to $5,000. Criminal charges possible for dangerous species. Owner liable for damages from escaped animals.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Burbank actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Burbank bans crowing roosters on residential property and caps birds, fowl, rabbits, and chinchillas at 25 (combined) without a permit. Cows, goats (except one permitted pygmy goat), sheep, and most livestock are outright prohibited.

Key details: Roosters: Crowing roosters banned w/o permit. Bird/Fowl Limit: 25 combined (BMC 5-1-304). Pygmy Goats: 1 max, permit required (BMC 5-1-308).

Keeping prohibited livestock or exceeding the 25-bird limit without a permit is a Title 5 violation/nuisance; unpermitted nondomestic animals are declared a nuisance the City Attorney may summarily abate (BMC 5-1-302(F)), and violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Burbank actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

Breed Restrictions

Burbank imposes no breed-specific restrictions. Its potentially-dangerous and vicious-animal rules are based on behavior, and California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 prohibits any dog-control program from being breed-specific.

Key details: Breed Bans: None - prohibited by state law. State Law: CA Food & Agric. Code S 31683. Local Basis: Behavior, not breed (BMC 5-1-1602).

An animal adjudicated potentially dangerous or vicious must meet the hearing officer's conditions (licensing, rabies vaccination, secure enclosure conforming to Penal Code 597t, microchip, etc.) within 30-35 days; a vicious animal may be ordered destroyed if its release would significantly threaten public safety (BMC 5-1-1603).

The rules around breed restrictions in Burbank lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is subject to state regulations and Burbank zoning. CA Food & Agricultural Code requires CDFA hive registration. Must maintain water source on premises and comply with setback requirements. Contact Burbank Planning for zone-specific rules.

Key details: CDFA Registration: Required. Water Source: Required on premises. Contact: Planning (818) 238-5250. Topic: Beekeeping.

Maintaining beehives in violation of the prohibition may result in citations and orders to remove the hives. Contact Code Enforcement for details.

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding wildlife is discouraged and may be cited as a nuisance under Burbank's general nuisance ordinance. Coyote awareness is a priority due to urban-wildland interface near the Verdugo Mountains.

Key details: Policy: Discouraged; may be cited as nuisance. Coyotes: Active management near foothills. State Law: CA Fish & Game Code protections. Enforcement: Code Enforcement / Animal Control.

Warnings for first offense. Fines typically $50 to $500. Repeat violations may result in misdemeanor charges in some jurisdictions.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs must be on a leash when off the owner's property in Burbank. CA Food & Agricultural Code 30500+ requires statewide dog licensing. Burbank enforces leash laws through Animal Control.

Key details: Leash Required: Yes, in all public areas. License: Required per CA FAC 30500+. Enforcement: Burbank Animal Control. Dog Parks: Off-leash allowed in designated areas.

Dogs found at large are impounded by the Animal Shelter. Owners must pay impound fees and license fees. Unlicensed dogs face additional penalties.

The Bottom Line

Burbank is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Burbank, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Burbank's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.