Redding's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Redding, 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.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs in Redding must be restrained on private property and on a leash when off the owner's property, under Title 7 of the Redding Municipal Code as enforced by Haven Humane Society under contract with the City. All dogs four months and older that live in Shasta County (including in Redding) must be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies, per the Shasta County rabies-control framework administered by Haven Humane Society at 7449 Eastside Road, Anderson, CA.

Key details: Leash Required: Yes — off owner's property (Title 7 RMC). License Required: Yes — all dogs 4 months+ (Shasta County). Rabies Vaccination: Required at 4 months and current. Animal Control: Haven Humane 530-241-2550. Off-Leash Area: Benton Dog Park.

Off-leash and at-large violations under Title 7 of the RMC are infractions citable by Haven Humane Animal Regulation Officers, with statutory fines that typically run $50-$200 first offense plus impound, board, and reclaim fees if the dog is picked up. Failing to license a dog in Shasta County is a separate violation enforced by Haven Humane with late fees and citation penalties — the County's rabies-control program is implemented under California Health & Safety Code Sections 121575-121710 and California Food & Ag Code Section 30804. Dogs adjudicated dangerous or vicious under Food & Ag Code Sections 31601-31683 are subject to enclosure orders, posting, mandatory liability insurance, and in severe cases destruction.

Wildlife Feeding

Redding does not have a dedicated wildlife-feeding ordinance, but feeding wildlife in ways that draw nuisance conditions is reachable under Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G) (unsanitary conditions). The principal restriction is at the state level: 14 CCR Section 251.3, issued by the California Fish and Game Commission, prohibits the intentional feeding of big game mammals (deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion, wild pig, and bear) anywhere in California. California Fish and Game Code Sections 251.1 and 4150 separately prohibit harassment of wildlife and possession of certain mammals.

Key details: Local Wildlife Feeding Ordinance: None — covered by Section 18.43.040(G) nuisance hook. State Big Game Ban: 14 CCR Section 251.3 (deer, bear, elk, etc.). Harassment Statute: 14 CCR Section 251.1. Local Concern: Black bears near Whiskeytown/Trinity Alps. Enforcement: CDFW Region 1 Wildlife Officers.

Local Section 18.43.040(G) violations carry administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 plus abatement orders requiring removal of feed or attractants. State big-game feeding violations under 14 CCR Section 251.3 are enforced by CDFW with fines and, on repeat offenses, citations under California Fish and Game Code Section 12000 (general misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and/or six months in county jail). Habituated wildlife that becomes a public-safety hazard can trigger CDFW depredation removal at no cost to the homeowner but at the cost of the animal.

Chickens & Livestock

Redding Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040 allows hen chickens on residential lots in any residential zoning district, with up to six (6) hens over three (3) months old permitted on lots up to 19,999 square feet. Roosters over three months are prohibited. Larger livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) are allowed only in rural residential districts (RL, RE, RS) and require a minimum 40,000 square foot parcel. All animal enclosures must meet setback requirements measured from property lines and neighboring residences.

Key details: Hens Allowed: Yes — up to 6 on lots <20,000 sq ft. Roosters: Prohibited (over 3 months). Larger Livestock: RL, RE, RS zones only; 40,000 sq ft min. Coop Setbacks: 15 ft side/rear; 30-40 ft from neighbor residence. Code Section: Redding Zoning Ord. 18.43.040.

Violations of Section 18.43.040 are enforced by Redding Code Enforcement under the City's general nuisance and zoning-enforcement authority. Typical first action is a written notice to abate (remove roosters, reduce the flock to six hens, relocate the coop to meet setbacks, or correct sanitation). Failure to comply can escalate to administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 with daily continuing-violation penalties, and recurring or unsanitary keeping conditions may be declared a public nuisance subject to abatement at the owner's cost. Keeping animals in unsanitary conditions under 18.43.040(G) is independently citable.

Breed Restrictions

Redding does not have a breed-specific dog ordinance and cannot enact one. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 expressly preempts local breed bans — cities and counties may not adopt dog-control ordinances that are specific to any breed. Redding may regulate dangerous behavior on an individual-dog basis under the state dangerous and vicious dog statutes at Food & Ag Code Sections 31601-31683, but no breed (including pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds) may be singled out for prohibition or numerical restriction.

Key details: Local BSL: None — preempted by state law. Preemption Statute: CA Food & Ag Code Section 31683. Allowed Local Rule: Behavior-based dangerous-dog hearings. Mandatory Spay/Neuter by Breed: Allowed but not adopted in Redding. Dangerous Dog Statute: Food & Ag Code 31601-31683.

Because breed-specific local ordinances are state-preempted, no Redding citation can be issued solely based on a dog's breed. Behavior-based potentially dangerous or vicious dog determinations under Food & Ag Code Sections 31621-31626 carry orders for enclosure, posting, microchipping, and (for vicious dogs) potential destruction. Owners of vicious dogs may be prohibited from owning, possessing, or controlling any dog for up to three years under Section 31645. Local citations issued contrary to Section 31683 are reversible.

Redding is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Redding Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(I) provides that the keeping of exotic or wild animals may be permitted only subject to issuance of a site development permit and any required California Fish and Wildlife permits. California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671 separately classifies a wide range of species as restricted and requires a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before they may be imported, transported, or possessed in California — many common exotics (ferrets, hedgehogs, many primates, large carnivores) are prohibited or restricted under state law.

Key details: Local Permit: Site development permit required (18.43.040(I)). State Restricted List: 14 CCR Section 671. State Permit Authority: California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Ferrets, Hedgehogs: Restricted statewide — generally prohibited as pets. Standard Household Pets: Allowed under 18.43.040(A).

Possessing an exotic or wild animal in Redding without a site development permit is a zoning violation enforced by Code Enforcement with administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 and abatement orders requiring removal of the animal. Possessing a restricted species under 14 CCR Section 671 without a CDFW permit is a separate offense enforced by CDFW Wildlife Officers under California Fish and Game Code Sections 2118-2118.4 with fines and seizure; animals seized for public-safety reasons are placed with CDFW-authorized facilities at the owner's expense.

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

Beekeeping

Redding Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040 expressly contemplates that hen chickens and bees may be allowed within urban environments to the extent that they do not constitute a nuisance to neighboring properties. The Zoning Ordinance does not set explicit hive numerical caps, but bees fall under the general animal-keeping setback and sanitation rules and remain subject to nuisance enforcement. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040 requires every person owning or in possession of an apiary located in California to register with the County Agricultural Commissioner annually by January 1.

Key details: Local Hive Cap: Not codified — nuisance standard applies. Code Hook: Redding Zoning Ord. 18.43.040(G). Setbacks: 15 ft side/rear; 50 ft front (general animal rule). State Registration: Required — CA Food & Ag Code Section 29040. Registration Authority: Shasta County Ag Commissioner.

Beekeeping in Redding that produces odor, swarming incidents, or repeated stings disturbing neighbors can be cited under 18.43.040(G) (unsanitary conditions) and Redding's general nuisance authority, typically as administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 with daily continuing-violation fines. Failure to register an apiary with the Shasta County Agricultural Commissioner violates California Food & Ag Code Section 29040 and is enforced by County Agriculture at the state level with civil penalties and the loss of state movement permits. Bees adjudicated a public nuisance may be ordered removed.

Pet Limits

Redding does not impose an absolute numerical cap on the number of dogs or cats per household. Title 7 of the Redding Municipal Code regulates licensing, vaccination, and behavior rather than count, and Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(A) treats cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs, and other household pets as a permitted noncommercial use under Title 7. Pet keeping that produces unsanitary conditions, odor, or nuisance — regardless of count — is independently citable under Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G).

Key details: Household Cap: None codified. Code Hook: Redding Zoning Ord. 18.43.040(A) + Title 7 RMC. Sanitation Limit: Section 18.43.040(G) — no unsanitary conditions. License Required: Each dog 4 months+ (Shasta County). Cat License: Not required.

Because Redding does not cap household pets, simply owning a large number of dogs or cats is not a violation. Conditions sufficient to constitute unsanitary keeping under Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G) are administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 with daily continuing-violation fines and abatement orders. Failing to license individual dogs under Title 7 is a separate per-dog citation enforced by Haven Humane with late fees and impound costs. Hoarding-grade neglect can escalate to misdemeanor or felony charges under California Penal Code Section 597.

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

Animal Hoarding

Redding does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding ordinance but addresses hoarding through (1) Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G), which prohibits keeping animals in unsanitary conditions producing odor, fecal accumulation, insect infestation, or rodent attractants disturbing neighbors; (2) Title 7 of the Municipal Code as enforced by Haven Humane Animal Regulation Officers; and (3) California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty to animals), which is the principal criminal statute used statewide against neglect and hoarding situations.

Key details: Dedicated Hoarding Ordinance: None — covered by Section 18.43.040(G), Title 7, and PC 597. Sanitary Conditions Rule: Redding Zoning Ord. 18.43.040(G). Cruelty Statute: California Penal Code Section 597. Penalty Range: Up to 1 year (misd.) or 3 years (felony) plus $20,000 fine. Investigator: Haven Humane Animal Regulation 530-241-2550.

Local Section 18.43.040(G) violations carry administrative citations under RMC Chapter 1.13 with daily continuing-violation fines plus abatement orders. Criminal charges under California Penal Code Section 597 carry: misdemeanor — up to one year in county jail and/or a fine up to $20,000; felony — up to three years in state prison and the same fine maximum. Convicted defendants may be barred from owning animals for at least five years (Section 597(j)) and ordered to pay restitution for veterinary care and shelter costs. Section 597.1 authorizes warrantless seizure of animals in immediate danger.

Compared to other cities, Redding takes a harder line on animal hoarding. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Redding's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Redding is broadly strict or permissive.

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