Palm Springs's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Palm Springs, 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.

Breed Restrictions

Palm Springs does not impose breed-specific legislation. California Food and Agriculture Code §31683 prohibits cities from enacting breed-specific bans, though it allows breed-specific spay/neuter and breeding requirements. Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 and state law (CA Food & Ag §31601–31683) regulate 'dangerous' and 'vicious' dogs based on behavior, not breed.

Key details: Restriction: No breed-specific bans (CA Food & Ag Â§31683). Dangerous/vicious Designations: Dangerous/vicious designations based on behavior. Hearing Required: Hearing required before official designation. Animals: Insurance and liability rules apply to declared dogs. License: All dogs must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=31683&lawCode=FAC) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Exotic Pets

Palm Springs follows California Code of Regulations Title 14 §671 and California Fish and Game Code §2118, which prohibit private ownership of most exotic animals including large cats, wolves, wolf hybrids, monkeys, ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and venomous reptiles. Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 adds local restrictions, and violations are enforced by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Riverside County Animal Services.

Key details: Ca Fish &: CA Fish & Game §2118 and CCR §671 ban most exotics. Ferrets: Ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, primates: illegal. Wolf Hybrids: Wolf hybrids, large cats, venomous reptiles: illegal. Fines Up To: Fines up to $10,000; animal may be seized. Enforcement By Cdfw: Enforcement by CDFW + Riverside Co. Animal Services.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=2118&lawCode=FGC) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

Wildlife Feeding

Palm Springs prohibits feeding coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife descending from the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 and California Fish and Game Code §§251.1 and 4181 make intentional feeding of large wildlife unlawful. Violations carry fines and the critical safety risk of habituated predators in residential neighborhoods.

Key details: Fees: Do NOT feed coyotes, bobcats, or mountain lions. Fees: Feeding bighorn sheep is illegal (endangered species). Fees: CA Fish & Game Â§251.1 bans harassment via feeding. Animal Rules: Secure trash and pet food; don't leave pets outside. Rule: Report aggressive wildlife to CDFW / PSPD.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=251.1&lawCode=FGC) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

Chickens & Livestock

Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 strictly limits livestock and poultry in residential zones. Chickens and other fowl are not permitted in most single-family (R-1) and multi-family zones; limited poultry-keeping is only allowed in low-density equestrian or agricultural overlay zones. Roosters are prohibited citywide due to noise, and all animal keeping must avoid nuisance to neighbors.

Key details: Chickens generally not: Chickens generally not allowed in standard R-1 zones. Roosters prohibited citywide: Roosters prohibited citywide (noise nuisance). Goats, pigs, sheep,: Goats, pigs, sheep, cattle banned in residential zones. Horses only in: Horses only in designated equestrian overlays. Enforcement: Riverside County Animal Services.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://library.qcode.us/lib/palm_springs_ca/pub/municipal_code) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

Beekeeping

Palm Springs has no specific ordinance permitting residential beekeeping, and apiaries are treated as livestock uses restricted in residential zones under Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 and the zoning code. Beekeepers must also comply with California Food and Agricultural Code §29001 et seq., which requires registration with the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner and imposes colony-location and identification rules.

Key details: No Backyard Beekeeping: No backyard beekeeping allowance in standard R-1 zones. State Registration Required: State registration required with County Agricultural Commissioner. Hives must be: Hives must be marked with owner name/address (CA F&A Â§29040). Africanized bee Concern:: Africanized bee concern: use licensed removal services. Setbacks, Flyway Barriers: Setbacks, flyway barriers required where hives are allowed.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=29040&lawCode=FAC) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Palm Springs actively enforces its beekeeping requirements.

Livestock

Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 and the city zoning code prohibit livestock in standard residential zones. Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry are not permitted in R-1 and most residential classifications. Only designated equestrian or agricultural overlay districts (rare within the city limits) may permit limited livestock keeping, with large-lot and setback requirements.

Key details: Livestock Banned Standard: Livestock banned in standard residential zones. Horses Allowed Only: Horses allowed only in equestrian overlay zones. Pot-bellied Pigs Classified: Pot-bellied pigs classified as livestock (prohibited). Setbacks: Minimum lot sizes and 40-ft setbacks where allowed. Neighboring Cities (dhs,: Neighboring cities (DHS, Thermal) have different rules.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Palm Springs actively enforces its livestock requirements.

Dog Leash Laws

Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet whenever off the owner's property, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash dog parks. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by Riverside County Animal Services, and owners must clean up after their pets under the city's pooper-scooper rule.

Key details: 6foot Maximum Leash: 6-foot maximum leash length in public areas. Retractable Leashes Must: Retractable leashes must be locked short. Designated Offleash Palm: Designated off-leash: Palm Springs Dog Park. Pooperscooper Rule Immediate: Pooper-scooper rule: immediate cleanup required. Hiking Trails And: Hiking trails and state park lands often prohibit dogs.

The Bottom Line

Palm Springs is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Palm Springs, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Palm Springs's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.