Santa Monica's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Santa Monica, 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.

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding animals or birds in Santa Monica parks, piers, the public beach, or designated off-leash areas is prohibited without written authorization from the City Manager.

Key details: Prohibited locations: Parks, piers, public beach, off-leash areas, Third Street Promenade, streets/sidewalks. Fine per violation: $5–$25. Authorization required: City Manager or designee must approve in writing. Food on ground: Also prohibited: must be removed immediately.

Each violation is a separate infraction with a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $25 per incident.

Pet Limits

No dwelling may house more than four dogs over four months of age or more than five cats over four months of age.

Key details: Maximum dogs per dwelling: 4 (over 4 months of age). Maximum cats per dwelling: 5 (over 4 months of age). Service dog exception: Not counted toward the 4-dog limit. Eviction protection: Pet limit violation alone is not a nuisance per se for eviction purposes.

Violation is a misdemeanor (up to $500 or 6 months jail) or infraction (up to $250). However, a residential tenant's violation does not automatically establish a nuisance per se for purposes of an eviction action.

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

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is allowed only on single-family residential property, limited to two hives, and requires prior registration with the City's Animal Control Office.

Key details: Allowed property type: Single-family residential only. Maximum hives per property: 2. Property line setback: At least 5 feet. Flight barrier required: 6-foot barrier OR hives placed ≥8 feet above ground. Requeening requirement: At least once every 2 years.

Violations are an infraction (up to $250) or misdemeanor (up to $1,000 or 6 months jail). Abandoned or non-compliant hives may be declared public nuisances and abated.

Breed Restrictions

Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on individual behavior rather than breed.

Key details: Breed Bans: None. Licensing: Required for all dogs. Dangerous Dogs: Behavior-based, not breed. State Law: CA Food & Ag Code §30500+.

Failure to restrain a dangerous dog is a violation of SMMC §4.04.410. The animal may be impounded. Owners face fines and potential criminal liability for injuries caused by unrestrained dangerous dogs.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs on any public property must be restrained by a leash of six feet or less in fixed length, held by a competent person, or confined in an automobile.

Key details: Maximum leash length: 6 feet (fixed length). Infraction fine: Not less than $50 per violation. Off-leash exception: Areas designated by City Council resolution. Bite liability (unleashed dog): Greater of actual damages or $1,000.

Violation is an infraction of at least $50 per day, with each partial day counting separately. A dog that bites while the owner is violating the leash law also creates civil liability of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Chickens & Livestock

Up to thirteen fowl of any kind may be kept without a permit; pigs, bulls, and billy goats require a permit and must stay at least 300 feet from any residential or commercial district.

Key details: Fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) without permit: Up to 13 allowed. Hogs, bulls, billy goats: Require permit; must be ≥300 feet from R or C districts. Horses or mules (open corral): Up to 2; must be ≥300 feet from R or C districts. Cows: 1 maximum in open corral; ≥300 feet from R or C districts. Goats: 2 maximum in open corral; ≥300 feet from R or C districts.

Keeping animals without required permits or violating setbacks is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 or 6 months in jail, or an infraction up to $250. Permits are revocable and violation of permit conditions carries the same penalties.

The rules around chickens & livestock in Santa Monica lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Exotic Pets

Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 prohibits wild animals, venomous reptiles, and monkeys without a permit from the Animal Control Officer. All snakes, reptiles, non-human primates, arachnids, and birds are banned from City parks, beaches, the Pier, and the Third Street Promenade.

Key details: Permit Required: Wild animals, reptiles, monkeys. Banned in Parks: Snakes, primates, arachnids. Exemptions: Events, film permits, wildlife. Code: SMMC §4.04.162.

Keeping prohibited animals without a permit is a violation subject to citation, fines, and animal removal. Bringing restricted animals to prohibited public locations is separately enforceable.

Compared to other cities, Santa Monica takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Santa Monica gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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