Long Beach's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Long Beach, California, there are 12 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.

Animal Hoarding

Long Beach Animal Care Services investigates suspected hoarding under LBMC Title 6 cruelty provisions and California Penal Code 597, removing animals when conditions threaten welfare or public health.

Key details: Dog limit per household: Four without kennel permit. Cat limit per household: Five without permit. Enforcement agency: LB Animal Care Services. State statute: Penal Code section 597.1.

Misdemeanor cruelty charges under Penal Code 597 carry up to one year jail and $20,000 fines, plus impound and veterinary cost recovery liens against the property owner.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Beach actively enforces its animal hoarding requirements.

Microchipping

Long Beach requires every licensed dog and cat to carry an ISO-compliant microchip registered to the owner, with chips installed at low cost during LBACS clinics or at any licensed vet.

Key details: Required for: All licensed dogs and cats. Chip standard: ISO 11784/11785. Update window: Thirty days after move. Code section: LBMC 6.16.045.

Failure to microchip or to keep chip registration current is an infraction punishable by $50 fines on the first offense and up to $250 on subsequent citations issued at license renewal or impound intake.

Cat Rules

Long Beach requires cats four months and older to be licensed and rabies-vaccinated under LBMC Chapter 6.16, with feral colony caretakers regulated through the city Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Key details: License required age: Four months and older. Rabies vaccine: Required by LBMC 6.04.060. TNR program: Run by LBACS. Senior license waiver: Available with income proof.

First-offense unlicensed cat citations run $50 to $100, escalating with rabies-vaccination violations to $250; chronic roaming cats may be impounded with $35 daily boarding fees against the owner.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

LBMC Chapter 6.20 requires dogs and cats over six months to be spayed or neutered, with narrow exceptions for licensed breeders, show animals, and certified service dogs.

Key details: Required age: Six months old. Permit fee: Roughly $100 per year. Code section: LBMC 6.20.020. First fine: $100 infraction.

Violations are infractions the first time at $100, jumping to $500 misdemeanor citations on repeat offenses, plus mandatory sterilization at owner expense before the animal is released from impound.

Compared to other cities, Long Beach takes a harder line on mandatory spay/neuter. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Coyote Management

Long Beach uses a non-lethal coyote management plan emphasizing hazing, attractant removal, and reporting, consistent with California Fish and Game Code rules administered by CDFW.

Key details: City approach: Non-lethal hazing first. State code: Fish and Game 4152. Trapping permit: CDFW depredation only. Reporting tool: Go Long Beach app.

Illegally trapping or poisoning a coyote violates California Fish and Game Code 4002 and Penal Code 597, exposing offenders to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $5,000, and possible federal charges if protected raptors are also harmed.

The rules around coyote management in Long Beach lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Pet Store Rules

Long Beach pet stores may sell only dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced from shelters or rescues under LBMC Chapter 6.40, mirroring California AB 485 statewide retail pet sale ban.

Key details: Allowed sources: Shelters and registered rescues. State law: AB 485 / HSC 122354.5. Recordkeeping period: Two years. Per-violation fine: $500.

Each unlawful sale is a separate $500 civil penalty under Health and Safety Code 122354.5, with repeat offenders facing business license suspension under LBMC Title 5 and potential injunction by the City Prosecutor.

Compared to other cities, Long Beach takes a harder line on pet store rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in public areas in Long Beach. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. Violations enforced by Long Beach Animal Care Services.

Key details: Leash Required: Yes, in all public areas. Max Length: 6 feet. Off-Leash: Designated dog parks only. Enforcement: Animal Care Services.

Administrative citations: $100 first violation, $200 second within one year, $500 subsequent within one year. A 25% late charge applies to unpaid fines. Additional consequences include liens, small claims filings, or permit revocation.

Compared to other cities, Long Beach takes a harder line on dog leash laws. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping allowed in Long Beach. Up to 4 hives per property proposed standard. Hive placement subject to Health Department standards.

Key details: Status: Allowed. Hive Limit: Up to 4 per property (proposed). Oversight: Long Beach Health Department standards. State Law: No CA statewide preemption.

Violations of beekeeping regulations are enforced through Animal Care Services. Administrative citations: $100 first offense, $200 second within one year, $500 subsequent. Bee swarms or nuisance complaints may be reported to Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pets regulated by state and city. Ferrets and hedgehogs are ILLEGAL in California. CDFW permits required for regulated species. City prohibits dangerous animals.

Key details: Ferrets: ILLEGAL in California. Hedgehogs: ILLEGAL in California. State Law: CA Code of Regs §671 (CDFW). Permits: Required for CDFW-regulated species.

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. Long Beach actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Backyard chickens are permitted in Long Beach residential zones with restrictions. Roosters are generally prohibited in residential areas. Livestock keeping depends on zoning district and lot size requirements.

Key details: Hens: Allowed in residential zones. Roosters: Prohibited in residential areas. Livestock: Zoning-dependent. Enclosure: Must be maintained and sanitary.

Violations are subject to administrative citations: $100 first offense, $200 second offense within one year, $500 subsequent offenses. Unpaid fines may result in liens, small claims filings, or permit revocation. Contact Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387.

Breed Restrictions

Long Beach does not impose breed-specific bans. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous or vicious dog declarations are based on individual behavior, not breed, under LBMC Title 6.

Key details: Breed Bans: None. Licensing: Required for all dogs. Dangerous Dogs: Based on behavior, not breed. State Law: CA Food & Ag Code §30500+.

Failure to comply with mandatory spay/neuter requirements for restricted breeds results in administrative citations: $100 first offense, $200 second within one year, $500 subsequent. A breeding permit may be obtained for exemption.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Long Beach gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

Wildlife Feeding

Long Beach prohibits feeding wildlife in public parks and beaches under LBMC Title 16. Feeding pigeons and other pest wildlife may constitute a nuisance violation under the city's nuisance code Chapter 9.37.

Key details: Parks/Beaches: Feeding wildlife prohibited. Code: LBMC Title 16. Nuisance: LBMC Ch. 9.37 may apply. Enforcement: Code Enforcement and Animal Care.

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

The Bottom Line

Long Beach is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 12 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach 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.