Animal Ordinances in Alameda, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Alameda, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Section 7-4.1 lets residents keep up to six (6) chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other domestic fowl. Fowl must be kept in an enclosure no part of which is within 20 feet of any neighboring dwelling. Quarters and yards must be kept sanitary under Section 7-4.2.
Alameda Chickens and Domestic Fowl
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Section 7-3.8 makes it unlawful to allow a dog on any public street, alley, or public place unless it is securely fastened by a rope, chain, or leash of sufficient length and strength to maintain control. The rule does not apply inside City-designated dog parks or dog runs.
Alameda Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code does not restrict or ban any dog breed. Chapter VII regulates dogs by behavior through its dangerous and potentially dangerous animal rules (Sections 7-10.1 to 7-10.13), which apply to any animal regardless of breed. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 also bars cities from declaring a dog dangerous based solely on its breed.
Alameda Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Chapter VII (Animal Control) contains no beekeeping ordinance, and beekeeping is not listed among the City's regulated animals. Beekeepers in Alameda are governed primarily by California's Apiary Protection Act, which requires every hive owner to register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner under Food & Agricultural Code Section 29040 (via the BeeWhere system).
Alameda Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Section 7-9.6 makes it unlawful to keep any wild or exotic animal, reptile, fish, or insect in the City. The ban expressly covers endangered, threatened, and candidate species, species listed in California Fish & Game Code Section 2118, fully protected species, and any venomous animal, even if rendered harmless.
Alameda Exotic Pet Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Chapter VII contains no ordinance specifically banning feeding wild animals such as gulls, pigeons, or coyotes. Related city rules apply: keeping animal feed sanitary (Section 7-4.2) and not creating a public nuisance (Section 7-4.3). California regulation 14 CCR 251.1 separately prohibits feeding certain big game and predatory mammals.
Alameda Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code regulates farm animals directly. Cows may not be stabled within 40 feet of any dwelling (Section 7-5.2); horses, mules, and donkeys may not be kept within 40 feet of a dwelling, school, or church (Section 7-6.1); and swine need a 300-foot separation, capped at five head (Section 7-7.1).
Alameda Livestock Keeping
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code has no ordinance using the term 'animal hoarding,' but several city rules apply: the three-dog limit (Section 7-3.7), the cruelty prohibition against depriving animals of food or water (Section 7-9.1), and sanitation/nuisance rules for animal quarters (Sections 7-4.2, 7-4.3). California Penal Code Section 597 also criminalizes neglect that hoarding typically involves.
Alameda Animal Hoarding
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
The City of Alameda's Municipal Code Section 7-3.7 limits households to no more than three (3) dogs over four months old, except for permitted veterinary hospitals, kennels, breeders, and pet shops. The City code sets no numeric limit on cats. Dogs and cats over four months must be licensed under Section 7-3.1.
Alameda Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Unusually for California, the City of Alameda's Municipal Code requires cats to be licensed: under Section 7-3.1, every cat over four months old in the City must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated. The city code sets no cat number limit and no cat leash or confinement rule, but Section 7-9.5 makes it unlawful to willfully abandon a cat.
Alameda Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Alameda city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →