Animal Ordinances in Rialto, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Rialto or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Rialto has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Dog Leash Laws

Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals) requires dogs to be restrained on a leash when off the owner's property and prohibits any dog from running at large in the city. Owners are strictly liable for control of the animal in public rights-of-way, parks, and on other private property.

Key details: Leash required: Yes — whenever dog is off owner's property (Rialto Code Title 6). Running at large: Prohibited citywide; subject to impound. Rabies vaccination & license: Required (Cal. HSC §121690; Rialto Title 6 license program). Bite liability: Strict liability under Cal. Civil Code §3342. Enforcement: Rialto Animal Services / Community Compliance.

Running-at-large and leash violations are typically infractions under Title 6 with fines that escalate with repeat offenses (commonly $50 first / $100 second / $250+ third under the city's general penalty schedule, Rialto Code §1.16). Impounded dogs incur impound, board, and license-late fees before release. Continued at-large violations or failure to license can be charged as a misdemeanor under the Title 6 general penalty provision.

Wildlife Feeding

Rialto has no standalone municipal ordinance banning wildlife feeding, but feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons and other wild mammals is regulated statewide under California Fish & Game Code § 251.1 (harassment) and 14 CCR § 251.3, which prohibits intentionally feeding big game mammals. Attracting wildlife that becomes a public nuisance is independently abatable under Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 / Title 8 (Health & Sanitation).

Key details: State rule: 14 CCR § 251.3 (no feeding big-game mammals). Harassment: Cal. F&G Code § 251.1. Local hook: RMC Title 6 / Title 8 nuisance abatement. Report: CDFW 1-888-334-CALTIP.

Intentionally feeding deer, bear or other big-game mammals violates 14 CCR § 251.3 (misdemeanor, up to $1,000). Creating wildlife-attractant nuisance conditions is abatable under RMC Titles 6 / 8 via Community Compliance.

Exotic Pets

Exotic and restricted species are primarily controlled by California state law, not local Rialto ordinance. Cal. Fish & Game Code § 2118 and 14 CCR § 671 prohibit private possession of most non-domesticated species (big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders) without a CDFW restricted-species permit. Rialto Title 6 reinforces this by prohibiting wild / dangerous animals as a public nuisance.

Key details: State law: Cal. F&G Code § 2118 + 14 CCR § 671. Banned (CA): Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, big cats, primates. Permit: CDFW restricted-species permit (very limited). Fine: $1,000-$10,000 (§ 2125).

Possession of a restricted species without a CDFW permit is a misdemeanor under Cal. F&G Code § 2125, $1,000-$10,000 fine, plus animal seizure. Rialto can separately abate the animal as a public nuisance under Title 6.

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

Animal Hoarding

Rialto does not have a standalone animal-hoarding chapter; cases are charged under California Penal Code § 597 (animal cruelty) and § 597f (failure to care), combined with Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 (excess animals/public nuisance) and Title 8 (Health & Sanitation). Convicted hoarders are barred from owning animals for 5 years (misdemeanor) or 10 years (felony) under Cal. Penal Code § 597.9.

Key details: State cruelty law: Cal. Penal Code § 597 (wobbler). Seizure authority: Cal. Penal Code § 597f. Ownership ban: 5 yrs (misd) / 10 yrs (fel) — § 597.9. Local cap: RMC Title 6 household animal limits.

Hoarding-related cruelty is a wobbler under Cal. Penal Code § 597 (up to 3 years state prison + $20,000 fine). Post-conviction possession bans apply (§ 597.9). Rialto can separately seize animals exceeding household limits and abate unsanitary premises under Title 6 / Title 8.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Rialto actively enforces its animal hoarding requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Roosters and other noisy fowl are prohibited as a public nuisance, and barnyard animals such as pigs, goats, and sheep are not allowed in Rialto's residential zones. Poultry and livestock keeping is permitted only in the A-1 agricultural zone, subject to setbacks and per-acre limits.

Key details: Roosters: Prohibited citywide as noisy fowl. Barnyard animals: Not allowed in residential zones. Livestock zone: A-1 agricultural zone only. Livestock cap: 2 animals per lot under 1 acre. Enclosure setback: 70 ft from neighboring dwellings.

Keeping prohibited animals is a public nuisance subject to abatement, and an infraction under Section 6.04.300 with escalating fines of $50, $75, and $100 plus impoundment; each day is a separate offense.

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

Pet Limits

Rialto caps household pets at four weaned dogs and cats combined, and no more than three of them may be dogs. The limit appears in Rialto Municipal Code Section 6.04.240 and the residential zoning rules in Section 18.10.020.

Key details: Total pet cap: 4 weaned dogs and cats combined. Dog cap: 3 dogs maximum. Weaned defined: 4 months of age or older. More animals: Requires kennel license where zoned.

Exceeding the pet limit is an infraction under Section 6.04.300, with fines of $50, $75, then $100 plus impoundment of all animals for repeat offenses within twelve months.

Beekeeping

Bees are a permitted use only in Rialto's A-1 agricultural zone, where hives must be at least 200 feet from any dwelling other than the beekeeper's own. Residential zone permitted-use lists do not include bees.

Key details: Permitted zone: A-1 agricultural zone only. Hive setback: 200 ft from any non-owner dwelling. Residential zones: Bees not a permitted use. Zoning enforcement: Animal code Section 6.04.240.

Keeping bees outside the A-1 zone, or hives within 200 feet of a neighbor's dwelling, is a zoning violation enforceable through Section 6.04.240 and infraction fines of $50 to $100 under Section 6.04.300.

Compared to other cities, Rialto takes a harder line on beekeeping. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Breed Restrictions

Rialto's municipal code contains no breed-specific restrictions; its dangerous-dog rules in Chapter 6.05 apply based on a dog's behavior. California state law forbids cities from declaring any breed dangerous or vicious and limits breed-specific ordinances to spay/neuter and breeding programs.

Key details: Breed bans: Prohibited by California state law. Rialto breed rules: None; code is behavior-based. Dangerous-dog process: Animal control board hearing. Vicious-dog penalty: Up to $1,000 and one year jail.

Under Section 6.05.170, a violation involving a potentially dangerous dog is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or six months in county jail; violations involving a vicious dog carry up to $1,000 and/or one year.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Rialto gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

The Bottom Line

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