Ontario's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Ontario, California, there are 6 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.

Chickens & Livestock

Ontario allows poultry, fowl, and livestock only as residential animal keeping in the AR-2, RE-2, and AG zones (household pets aside), at a density of one poultry/fowl animal per 6,000 square feet of lot area. Crowing roosters, peacocks, and guinea fowl that disturb the neighborhood are unlawful, and unneutered male goats are prohibited.

Key details: Poultry/fowl density: 1 per 6,000 SF of lot area (Table 5.03-6). Sheep/goats (female): 1 per 4,000 SF of lot area. Property-line setback: 20 ft (non-pet animals). Dwelling setback: 50 ft (70 ft swine); 30 ft for hobby fowl/rabbits. Roosters: Crowing roosters/peacocks/guinea fowl prohibited.

Exceeding the per-animal lot-area density, violating the 20/30/50-foot setbacks, keeping animals in a front yard, keeping a crowing rooster or noisy fowl, or keeping an unneutered male goat are Development Code violations enforced by Code Enforcement and the Animal Resource Center, abatable as nuisances under the Ontario Municipal Code.

Cat Rules

Ontario Municipal Code Section 6-1.216 sets the redemption and disposal process for impounded cats. An owner can reclaim a cat by paying a redemption fee plus food and care costs set by City Council resolution, but an unclaimed cat can be offered for adoption after ten days' mailed notice, or three days if no owner is known, and a suffering animal may be humanely destroyed the same day with veterinary or humane officer approval.

Key details: Redemption cost: Redemption fee plus food/care costs. Notice to known owner: By mail after impoundment. Unclaimed window (known owner): 10 days from mailed notice. Unclaimed window (unknown owner): 3 days from impoundment. Same-day destruction: Only with vet/humane officer approval.

The code does not set a fine schedule for cat owners in this section; instead, the consequence is impoundment and the redemption process itself. An owner who does not pay the redemption fee and care costs, or who cannot be located, risks the cat being offered for adoption after the ten- or three-day window, or in a same-day medical emergency, humanely destroyed with veterinary or humane officer sign-off.

Pet Limits

Ontario permits the keeping of four or fewer household pets by right in every residential and mixed-use zone (and the AG and MHP zones) in conjunction with a dwelling. Beyond that, the maximum keeping density is one household pet for each 6,000 square feet of net lot area.

Key details: By-right limit: 4 or fewer household pets (Sec. 5.03.410.C.1.a(1)). Density above 4: 1 pet per 6,000 SF of net lot area (Table 5.03-6). Potbellied pigs: Maximum 1 per lot. Exotic pets: Conditional Use Permit required. Dog license: Required for all dogs over 4 months old.

Keeping more household pets than the lot area allows, or exceeding the 4-pet by-right threshold without sufficient lot area under Table 5.03-6, is a Development Code violation enforceable by Code Enforcement and the Animal Resource Center. Keeping an unlicensed dog over 4 months old violates OMC Title 6 and incurs late/licensing penalties.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Ontario gives residents more flexibility on pet limits.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Ontario's only mandatory spay-neuter rule targets pet pot-bellied pigs, not dogs or cats generally. Section 6-1.230 bans breeding pot-bellied pigs kept as pets and requires every one to be spayed or neutered, with veterinary certification of that status, plus health and vaccination records, before the city will license the animal. Males two or older must also have their tusks removed.

Key details: Applies to: Pet pot-bellied pigs only. Weight/height cap: 90 lbs, 18 inches at shoulder. Breeding: Prohibited entirely. Spay/neuter: Mandatory before licensing. Pigs per lot: 1 maximum.

Because pot-bellied pigs are licensed the same way as dogs under this section, failing to have a pig spayed, neutered, and vaccinated before licensing, or failing to have a two-year-or-older male's tusks removed, exposes the owner to the same restrictions and penalties that apply to unlicensed or noncompliant dogs under Title 6 of the Municipal Code.

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

Dog Leash Laws

Ontario requires every dog off its owner's own property to be held on a leash no longer than six feet, controlled by a competent person, whenever it is on a public street, sidewalk, alley, or any private property other than the owner's own. A dog running loose in violation is impounded by the Enforcing Officer and held until reclaimed, adopted, or disposed of.

Key details: Leash length limit: 6 feet or less. Where required: Off owner's own property, in public. Off-leash consequence: Dog impounded by Enforcing Officer. Redemption: License fee, redemption fee, care costs. Unclaimed timeline: 10 days (known owner) / 3 days.

A dog found off its leash or off its owner's property is impounded at the shelter under Section 6-1.215 rather than fined at the roadside. Reclaiming the dog requires paying the applicable license fee, a redemption fee, and food and care costs set by City Council resolution; an unclaimed dog may be offered for adoption after ten days' mailed notice, or after three days if the owner is unknown.

Breed Restrictions

Ontario does not impose any breed-specific dog ban. California state law (Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683) prohibits any local dog-control program from being breed-specific, except that under Health and Safety Code Section 122331 a city may adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding rules only.

Key details: Local breed ban: None in Ontario. State preemption: Food and Ag. Code Sec. 31683. Only breed-specific rules allowed: Spay/neuter and breeding (HSC Sec. 122331). Breed cannot be declared dangerous: By breed alone (HSC Sec. 122331(a)). Reporting: Quarterly dog-bite stats to State Public Health Veterinarian.

Because breed-specific bans are preempted by state law, Ontario cannot and does not penalize dogs by breed. Owners of dogs that behave dangerously are instead subject to the City's potentially-dangerous/vicious-dog provisions (OMC Sec. 6-1.214 incorporating Food and Ag. Code Chapter 9), which can require confinement, muzzling, or other controls.

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

The Bottom Line

Ontario is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Ontario, 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 Ontario's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.