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

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

Pet Limits

Inglewood caps ordinary households at two dogs. Municipal Code Section 4-4 makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, or maintain three or more dogs on any lot or premises unless the owner first obtains a special kennel permit from the Permits and Licenses Committee. Cats and other household pets are unrestricted under this section.

Key details: Dog limit w/o permit: Two dogs per lot or premises. Permit needed for: Three or more dogs. Issuing body: Permits and Licenses Committee. Kennel permit fee: $25 (Category 1). Permit expiration: December 31 each year.

Keeping three or more dogs without a special kennel permit violates Section 4-4 and exposes the owner to enforcement under the City's general animal-keeping scheme; the Permits and Licenses Committee can also revoke an existing kennel permit under Section 4-11 if the dogs are kept unsafely or unsanitarily, but only after a hearing or a misdemeanor conviction tied to the violation.

Dog Leash Laws

Inglewood has no separate homegrown leash statute; instead IMC Sec. 4-13 adopts the Los Angeles County Animal Control Ordinance, Title 10 of the County Code, by reference as the City's own Animal Control Code, which is what governs dogs at large and leash requirements. Sec. 3-40.2 confirms dogs, cats, and other household pets are expected to be on a leash or tether when in the public street.

Key details: Governing framework: LA County Animal Control Ordinance, Title 10. Adopting section: IMC Sec. 4-13. County-to-City reading: "County" language means "City" (Sec. 4-14). Not adopted locally: County cat-licensing sections. Leash exemption cross-ref: IMC Sec. 3-40.2 (leashed pets excluded).

Most violations of the adopted Animal Control Ordinance, including routine leash and at-large violations, are infractions under Sec. 4-18(1). A specific list of County Code sections carried in Sec. 4-18(2), covering sections such as 10.20.280 and 10.20.310, are instead charged as misdemeanors. Because Sec. 4-13 folds in the full County ordinance, the precise fine amounts for a given leash violation come from the adopted County Code section itself, not from a separate Inglewood dollar figure.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Veterinary offices are a permitted use in Inglewood's C-3 Heavy Commercial Zone under Section 12-25(11), so a vet clinic can open there without a Special Use Permit. The same line draws a hard boundary: kennels, pens and runs are prohibited, meaning any outdoor animal housing or exercise enclosure is off-limits at a C-3 veterinary office.

Key details: Use status: Veterinary offices permitted by right in C-3. Permit needed: None; no Special Use Permit required. Prohibited add-on: Kennels, pens, runs explicitly banned. Governing section: Inglewood Municipal Code § 12-25(11). Zone context: C-3 Heavy Commercial, broadest use list.

Operating a use not permitted in the C-3 zone, or adding a kennel, pen or run at a veterinary office there, is unlawful under Section 12-3's noncompliance rule, one of the zoning sections Section 1-18.1(a) designates as an infraction rather than a misdemeanor. Penalties escalate under Section 1-18: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation of the same rule within one year, and $500 for each additional violation within that year.

Chickens & Livestock

Chickens, rabbits, goats, pigeons, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other fowl are banned outright in most of Inglewood outside three named districts. Municipal Code Section 4-16 permits them, without a permit, only within the historic Imperial Village, Morningside Park, and Lockhaven areas described in Ordinance No. 1800; everywhere else in the City they require a Chapter 4 keeping permit.

Key details: Banned districts: Imperial Village, Morningside Park, Lockhaven. District source: Ordinance No. 1800. Elsewhere in City: Permit required, not banned. Permit issuer: Permits and Licenses Committee. Permit cycle: Expires Dec. 31, renews Nov-Dec.

Raising chickens, rabbits, goats, pigeons, ducks, geese, or turkeys inside Imperial Village, Morningside Park, or Lockhaven violates Section 4-16 outright, with no permit available to cure it. Keeping the same animals elsewhere in the City without first obtaining the Article 1 keeping permit is likewise a violation, and the Permits and Licenses Committee can revoke an existing permit under Section 4-11 for unsafe or unsanitary keeping.

Compared to other cities, Inglewood takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Breed Restrictions

Inglewood does not have breed-specific legislation banning particular dog breeds. However, all dogs classified as dangerous or vicious under state law are subject to additional restrictions including mandatory spay/neuter and secure enclosure requirements.

Key details: Breed Bans: None: no breed-specific legislation. Dangerous Dogs: Subject to individual behavior assessment. Requirements: Secure enclosure, spay/neuter, insurance. State Law: California dangerous dog statutes apply.

Owners of dogs declared dangerous who fail to comply with restrictions face fines, mandatory impoundment, and potential euthanasia orders for the animal.

Exotic Pets

Inglewood follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations on exotic animal ownership. Most wild, venomous, and large exotic animals are prohibited. Permits may be required for certain species.

Key details: State Law: CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife regulations. Prohibited: Large cats, primates, venomous reptiles. Allowed: Non-venomous reptiles, small birds, fish. Permits: Required for certain species.

Keeping prohibited exotic animals may result in animal seizure, fines, and criminal charges under state law. The city can order removal of any animal deemed a public safety risk.

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

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding a coyote, raccoon, fox, opossum, or any other nondomesticated rodent or mammalian predator anywhere in Inglewood is illegal under Municipal Code Section 4-17, with narrow exceptions for permitted owners and injured animals awaiting animal control pickup. A first offense draws up to a $50 fine, rising to $100 for a second violation within a year and up to $250 for each violation after that.

Key details: Covered animals: Coyote, raccoon, fox, opossum, rodents. First offense fine: Up to $50. Second offense fine: Up to $100 (within 1 yr). Third+ offense fine: Up to $250 each (within 1 yr). Owner exception: Valid CA Fish & Game permit.

Every violation of Section 4-17 is charged as an infraction. The fine is capped at $50 for a first offense, rises to $100 for a second violation within one year, and reaches $250 for each further violation within that year, so an owner who keeps feeding after a citation faces escalating fines rather than a repeat of the same $50 penalty.

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

The Bottom Line

Inglewood is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Inglewood, 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 Inglewood's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.