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Animal Ordinances

How Concord Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Concord maintains 35 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Concord falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Breed Restrictions

Dangerous or vicious dog designations in Concord are determined under California Food & Agricultural Code §31601 et seq. by Contra Costa County Animal Services following a behavior-based hearing. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts breed-specific legislation, so designations rely exclusively on documented aggressive behavior.

Key details: State Law: CA Food & Ag Code §§31601–31683. Breed Ban Preemption: CA Food & Ag Code §31683. Designations: Potentially Dangerous / Vicious. Hearing Authority: Contra Costa County Animal Services. Core Requirements: Secure enclosure, muzzle/leash, signage, registration.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is allowed in Concord on residential lots subject to setback and hive count limits. Hives must be registered with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Agricultural Code §29040. Typical rules require hives set back from property lines and a water source on-site to keep bees from neighboring yards.

Key details: Registration: CA Food & Ag Code §29040 (County Ag Commissioner). Typical Hive Limit: 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft. Setback: ~5 ft property line, flyway barrier if <25 ft. Water Source: Required on-site. County Authority: Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pets in Concord are governed by California Code of Regulations Title 14 §671, which lists restricted species prohibited as pets without a state permit. Restricted species include many non-native birds, reptiles, and mammals. Concord defers to CDFW for exotic species enforcement and does not issue local exceptions.

Key details: Primary Rule: 14 CCR §671 (restricted species list). Permit Authority: California Department of Fish and Wildlife. State Statute: CA Fish & Game Code §2118. Banned Examples: Ferrets, primates, large constrictors. Allowed Examples: Ball pythons, bearded dragons, hedgehogs.

This is one of the stricter rules in Concord's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Concord's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Concord is broadly strict or permissive.

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