Ontario's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Ontario, California, there are 8 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.
Wildlife Feeding
Ontario discourages wildlife feeding under its nuisance rules and CA F and G Code 251.1. Intentional feeding of coyotes, raccoons, and similar wildlife can be declared a public nuisance and attractants must be removed.
Key details: State Law: CA F and G Code 251.1. Coyote Feeding: Discouraged and often illegal. Local Tool: Nuisance abatement. Bird Feeders: Allowed if kept clean. Main Concern: Pet food and open trash attractants.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Livestock
Ontario restricts livestock to agricultural and equine zones in the Development Code. Most livestock activity is in Ontario Ranch (New Model Colony). Standard residential zones prohibit cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.
Key details: Allowed Zones: Ag and equine overlay only. Legacy Area: Ontario Ranch New Model Colony. Residential: Cattle horses goats sheep prohibited. Swine: Conditional-use only. Slaughter: Residential slaughter prohibited.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Compared to other cities, Ontario takes a harder line on livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
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.
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.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ontario actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.
Beekeeping
Ontario allows beekeeping under the Development Code with hive-count and setback limits. Beekeepers must register annually with the San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner under CA F and A Code 29040.
Key details: Hives: Limited count per residential lot. Setbacks: Typically 15 to 25 feet. Flyway Barrier: 6-foot fence or vegetation. State Registration: CA F and A Code 29040. Water Source: On-property water required.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dog Leash Laws
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except designated off-leash dog parks.
Key details: Leash Length: 6 feet maximum. Code: OMC Title 6. Off-Leash: Only designated dog parks. Licensing: Required at 4 months old. At-Large Penalty: Impound and fines.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ontario actively enforces its dog leash laws requirements.
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.
The rules around breed restrictions in Ontario lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Exotic Pets
Ontario defers to California state law on exotic pets. CA Fish and Game Code and Title 14 Section 671 ban most wild species including big cats, bears, ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders without a permit.
Key details: State Law: CA F and G 2118 and Title 14 Section 671. Prohibited: Ferrets hedgehogs sugar gliders. Big Cats and Bears: Permit only. Ontario Role: Animal Services seizure authority. Permitted: Most parrots and common reptiles.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ontario actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.
The Bottom Line
Ontario is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 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.