Downey's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Downey, California, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Cat Rules

Downey does not require cat owners to license their cats. Municipal Code Section 4271 offers only an optional identification license, while Section 4245 sets the minimum shelter hold, at least 10 days for an identified cat and five for one with no tag, before Animal Control can dispose of an unclaimed animal.

Key details: Cat licensing: Optional only, under Section 4271. Shelter hold, identified cat: At least 10 days (Section 4245). Shelter hold, no ID: At least 5 working days. Breeding permit: Required under Section 4269. Cat kennels: Industrial zoning only, Section 4270.

Keeping an unpermitted cat kennel or breeding cats without the Section 4269 permit is punishable under the citywide penalty code, Section 1200, as a misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, or as an infraction. An unclaimed, unidentified stray cat may be humanely destroyed after only five working days in the shelter under Section 4245.

Downey is more permissive than most cities when it comes to cat rules. That said, there are still limits.

Dog Leash Laws

Downey Municipal Code Section 4230 requires every dog off its owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, held continuously by a competent person, or confined inside a vehicle. Exceptions cover police dogs, permitted activities, and City-designated dog parks. Loose dogs are impounded under Section 4237.

Key details: Leash limit: 6 feet maximum, held by competent person. Governing section: Section 4230 (1985, amended 2010). Exceptions: Police dogs, City permit, designated Dog Park Area. Impoundment: Loose dogs picked up under Section 4237. Shelter hold: 10 days licensed, 5 days unlicensed.

Running a dog at large without a leash under six feet, or without vehicle confinement, is punishable as a misdemeanor or infraction under the citywide penalty code, Section 1200: up to $1,000 and six months in jail as a misdemeanor, or escalating infraction fines of $100, $200, and $500. Impounded dogs also owe recovery fees under Section 4242 before Animal Control will release them.

Wildlife Feeding

Downey Municipal Code Chapter 12 makes it unlawful to purposely feed coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, ducks, geese, crows, feral cats or gulls anywhere in the city, public or private. Leaving pet food, garbage or seed where it will likely attract wildlife is also banned, and Code Enforcement can order attractants removed.

Key details: Adopted: Ord. 19-1412, June 25, 2019. Covered species: Coyotes, raccoons, skunks, geese, gulls, feral cats. Bird feeders: Exempt on private residential property. Default penalty: Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail. Rodent trapping: Still allowed under state Fish & Game Code.

A first offense is charged as a misdemeanor under Section 1200 unless prosecuted as an infraction, carrying up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail for the misdemeanor track, or $100/$200/$500 escalating fines for infractions. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and every violation is independently declared a public nuisance the City may abate civilly, on top of any criminal citation.

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

Chickens & Livestock

Downey allows chickens, rabbits and pigeons in any combination up to five per lot under Municipal Code Section 9514.02(a), with roosters banned outright in every zone. Keeping more birds, up to 100 Racing or Homing Sport Pigeons, requires a Conditional Use Permit and is limited to R-1 single-family lots, with strict loft setbacks from neighboring homes, schools and hospitals.

Key details: Base limit: 5 chickens/rabbits/pigeons combined per lot. Roosters: Strictly prohibited in every zone. Sport pigeon cap: 100 birds, R-1 zones only, CUP required. Loft setback: 35 ft from dwellings, 100 ft from schools. Hogs/pigs: Banned in every zone, any age.

Failure to comply with the pigeon-keeping standards or the conditions of an approved Conditional Use Permit is grounds for the City to revoke the CUP under Section 9828, ending the right to keep more than five birds. Code Enforcement can cite owners for exceeding the five-animal cap, keeping roosters, keeping hogs or pigs, or housing lofts closer than the required setbacks, and can order excess or prohibited animals removed from the property.

Breed Restrictions

Downey Municipal Code Section 4235 defines any dog with a proven disposition to attack or bite without provocation as a "wild or vicious animal" and bars keeping such an animal, or specified wild species, off the owner's enclosed premises. A documented two-bite history is automatic proof of dangerousness, and Animal Control can order strict confinement or destroy the animal for non-compliance.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code Section 4235 (1985). Definition trigger: Bite/attack propensity without provocation. Two-bite rule: 2+ documented bites is prima facie vicious. Consequence: Written confinement order; summary destruction if ignored. State backdrop: Food & Ag. Code Sec. 31683 bars breed-specific rules.

Failure to comply with a Director's written enclosure or restraint order under Section 4235 exposes an owner to impoundment of the animal and, if adequate restraint still is not provided within a reasonable time, summary destruction of the animal. Separately, keeping a wild or vicious animal at large is chargeable under the general penalty code, Section 1200, as a misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

Compared to other cities, Downey takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Downey bars veterinary hospitals from most commercial zones outright and requires a Conditional Use Permit in the ones where they are allowed at all. Only the C-M commercial-manufacturing zone permits a veterinary hospital by right; C-2, C-3 and H-M need discretionary approval, and C-P and C-1 forbid it entirely.

Key details: Governing section: DMC § 9314.04, Table 9.3.5. C-P / C-1 zones: Not Permitted. C-2 / C-3 / H-M zones: Conditional Use Permit required. C-M zone: Permitted by right. CUP process: Commission review under § 9824.

Opening a veterinary hospital in a zone where it is Not Permitted, or operating one in a Conditional Use Permit zone without first obtaining that permit, is an unpermitted use subject to code enforcement, including a notice to cease operations and civil penalties for continued noncompliance. A CUP that is later found to violate its conditions, such as noise or animal boarding limits set by the Commission, can be revoked through the same Section 9824 review process.

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

Exotic Pets

Exotic pet ownership in Downey is primarily governed by California state law (Title 14, Section 671). Most exotic animals including ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys, and large reptiles are prohibited statewide. Downey's municipal code reinforces state restrictions.

Key details: State Regulation: CA Title 14, §671. Prohibited: Ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys, large snakes. Enforcement: SEAACA / CA DFW. Max Fine: Up to $10,000 (state). SEAACA: (562) 803-3301.

Keeping a restricted species without a permit is a misdemeanor under California law, with fines up to $10,000 and/or six months in jail. Animals may be confiscated.

Compared to other cities, Downey takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Downey is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Downey, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Downey can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.