Animal Ordinances in Burbank, CA

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 4 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.

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).

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

The Bottom Line

Burbank is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 3 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.