Animal Ordinances in Redwood City, CA

If you live in Redwood City or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Redwood City has 11 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Beekeeping

Redwood City requires bee hives to sit at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling under Section 21.7, caps hives at two per parcel of 3,000 square feet or less under Section 21.8, and requires a constant on-site water supply. Section 21.9 makes noncompliant beekeeping a public nuisance subject to code enforcement.

Key details: Minimum hive setback: 25 feet from adjacent dwelling (§ 21.7). Max hives on small lots: 2 hives on parcels ≤3,000 sq ft (§ 21.8). Water supply: Constant on-site supply required (§ 21.8). Noncompliance: Declared a public nuisance (§ 21.9). Enacted/amended: Ord. 581; amended by Ord. 2425 (2016).

Keeping a hive closer than 25 feet to a neighboring dwelling, exceeding two hives on a 3,000-square-foot-or-smaller parcel, or failing to provide an adequate water supply violates Sections 21.7 and 21.8. Section 21.9 declares any such noncompliant beekeeping a public nuisance, which the City pursues through code enforcement and the nuisance remedies available under the Municipal Code.

Bird Protection

Redwood City bars feeding pigeons and other non-domesticated animals in Courthouse Square if the feeding encourages them to linger, roost, or congregate, under City Code Section 33A.39(D). The rule targets the plaza specifically to keep the downtown Square free of pigeon flocks drawn in by handouts.

Key details: Pigeon/bird feeding in Square: Banned if it draws lingering or roosting. Location: Courthouse Square only. Violation penalty: Infraction under Code Sec. 1.7B. On-the-spot power: Police/City Manager may eject violators.

Feeding pigeons or other non-domesticated animals in a way that draws them to linger, roost, or congregate in Courthouse Square is an infraction under Section 33A.52, punishable as provided in Code Section 1.7B. Section 33A.38(C) separately authorizes the City Manager's designee, the Chief of Police, or another authorized representative to eject a violator from the Square immediately.

Compared to other cities, Redwood City takes a harder line on bird protection. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs entering any Redwood City park must be led by a leash no longer than six feet, except in areas officially designated off-leash. Dogs are also barred from sports fields and from within 20 feet of playground equipment, and no more than three dogs per person are allowed in a park at once.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 25.2.05. Max leash length: 6 feet. Dog limit per person: 3 dogs in any park. Playground buffer: No dogs within 20 feet. Enforcement: Chief of Animal Control impounds unleashed dogs.

An unleashed dog in a Redwood City park, or one on a leash longer than six feet, is declared a public nuisance under Sec. 25.2.05(D) and can be impounded by the Chief of Animal Control regardless of licensing status. Any City officer or employee may also remove the dog from park property on the spot, and the handler remains liable for any damage the dog causes under Sec. 25.2.05(A); violations of Chapter 25 generally are infractions under Sec. 25.2.06, punishable per Sec. 1.7B of the Code.

Cat Rules

Redwood City makes it a nuisance for a cat's owner or keeper to let the animal's waste sit on any property besides its own. The owner must remove and sanitarily dispose of the excreta right after it happens, with an exception for guide animals used by the visually disabled.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 5.6. Duty: Immediately remove and sanitarily dispose of excreta. Applies off owner's own property: Public or private property of others. Exemption: Seeing-eye animals used by visually disabled persons. Default penalty: Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail.

A violation of Section 5.6 is unlawful and declared a nuisance. Chapter 5 sets no specific fine for this section, so the City Code's general penalty in Section 1.7A governs: a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, with each day of an uncleaned, ongoing nuisance chargeable as a separate offense under Section 1.7C.

Chickens & Livestock

Redwood City allows up to three chickens or rabbits (or a combination of three) as pets in a clean, confined coop or cage without a permit. Keeping horses, cows, goats or sheep requires an annual Building Inspector permit, a one-acre minimum lot, and fixed setbacks for stables and corrals.

Key details: Chickens/rabbits without a permit: Max 3 combined, as pets in a coop or cage. Sale of live poultry/rabbits: Prohibited citywide under § 5.27. Livestock (horse/cow/goat/sheep) permit: Required from the Building Inspector. Permit fee: $10 each of first 2 animals, $2.50 each additional. Minimum lot size for livestock: 1 acre for first 2 animals.

Keeping fowl or rabbits beyond the three-animal pet allowance, or selling/offering live poultry or rabbits in the City, is unlawful and a nuisance under Sections 5.26 and 5.27. Keeping horses, cows, goats or sheep without the Building Inspector's permit, or outside the lot-size and setback standards of Section 5.50, is likewise unlawful. Chapter 5 sets no separate fine schedule for these sections, so the City Code's default penalty in Section 1.7A applies: up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months imprisonment, or both, with continuing violations chargeable day by day under Section 1.7C.

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

Wildlife Feeding

Redwood City bars feeding, capturing, hunting, or otherwise harming any wild or domestic bird, fowl, fish, reptile, or animal in a City park under Code Section 25.2.02(I), with an exception only for activity that conforms to federal or state wildlife regulations or permits. The ban covers eggs, nests, and young animals too.

Key details: Feeding wildlife in parks: Prohibited, Code Sec. 25.2.02(I). Covers: Birds, fowl, fish, reptiles, animals. Includes: Eggs, nests, and young animals. Exception: Federal/state wildlife permits only. Violation penalty: Infraction under Code Sec. 1.7B.

Feeding, trapping, hunting, or harming wildlife in a Redwood City park, including waterfowl at a park pond, is an infraction under Section 25.2.06, punishable as provided in Code Section 1.7B. The same section covers every other prohibited act in Section 25.2.02, so a single park visit involving both wildlife feeding and another violation, like leaving glass containers, can draw separate citations.

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

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics cannot open by right in Redwood City's general commercial or light industrial districts; both require a discretionary Conditional Use Permit, and any kennel on site must be completely enclosed and soundproofed.

Key details: CG District requirement: Conditional Use Permit (sec. 15.4.C). IR District requirement: Conditional Use Permit (sec. 17.4.D). IR max FAR for vet/animal hospital use: 70% (sec. 17.14.A). Other IR conditional uses FAR: 35% (sec. 17.14.C). Kennels: must be completely enclosed and soundproofed.

Operating an animal hospital, veterinary clinic or kennel without the Conditional Use Permit required in the CG or IR district, or exceeding the applicable floor area ratio, is a zoning violation and public nuisance under Section 50.2, treated as an infraction under Section 50.5 with fines up to $100, $200 and $500 for successive violations of the same rule within a year, each day a separate offense, and the City Attorney can sue to abate the use.

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

Pet Groomer Rules

Redwood City classifies pet grooming as an "Animal-Related Use" alongside kennels and veterinary clinics. In the Neighborhood Commercial district and every other zoning table that lists it, that use needs a discretionary Conditional Use Permit before a groomer can open its doors.

Key details: Land use category: "Animal-Related Uses" (incl. pet grooming). CN District requirement: Conditional Use Permit. Also "C" in: LII, MUT, MUW zoning districts. Who decides the permit: Zoning Administrator, public hearing. Unlisted use: prohibited unless found similar/compatible.

Operating a pet grooming business without the required Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation and a public nuisance under Section 50.2. Section 50.5 makes it an infraction, with fines up to $100 for a first violation, up to $200 for a repeat within a year, and up to $500 after that, each day counted separately, and the City Attorney can sue to shut the use down.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redwood City actively enforces its pet groomer rules requirements.

Pet Limits

Redwood City caps household pets at four dogs and/or cats combined, with no more than two dogs allowed, on any lot under one acre. Lots of an acre or larger may keep up to four dogs and/or cats total. Licensed veterinarians are exempt.

Key details: Max on lots under 1 acre: 4 dogs/cats combined, max 2 dogs. Max on lots 1 acre or more: 4 dogs and/or cats combined. Age threshold: Applies to animals over 3 months old. Exemption: Duly licensed veterinarians. Default penalty: Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail.

Exceeding the pet limit is unlawful and declared a nuisance under Section 5.2. Because Chapter 5 does not set its own fine schedule for this section, the City Code's general penalty at Section 1.7A applies by default: a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Each day the excess animals remain on the property can be charged as a separate, continuing violation under Section 1.7C.

Exotic Pets

Keeping exotic animals in Redwood City requires a use permit from the Planning and Building Department per San Mateo County zoning provisions. California state law also bans many exotic species outright.

Key details: Exotic Animal Permit: Use permit required (Planning & Building). CA State Ban: Many species prohibited outright. Requirements: Safe, sanitary housing; no public safety risk. Contact: Planning Division (650) 780-7234.

Breed Restrictions

Redwood City does not ban specific dog breeds. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. Dogs deemed dangerous after an incident may face special restrictions including muzzling, confinement requirements, and liability insurance.

Key details: Breed Ban: None. Dangerous Dogs: Enhanced requirements after incident. License Required: Yes (San Mateo County). Code: RWC City Code Ch. 5.

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

The Bottom Line

Redwood City is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 11 rules covered here, 6 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redwood City, 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 Redwood City 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.