Animal Ordinances in Anaheim, CA (2026)
17 verified animal ordinances for Anaheim, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Anaheim allows chickens in residential zones under AMC 18.38.030 at a density of one chicken per 1,800 sq ft of lot area. Roosters are prohibited. No permit is required for chickens. Pot-bellied pigs limited to one per lot.
Anaheim Chicken & Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Anaheim requires dogs to be on a leash not exceeding six feet in city parks under AMC Chapter 13.08. All dogs over four months must be licensed through Orange County Animal Care. Maximum three dogs per dwelling unit.
Anaheim Dog Leash & Licensing Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Anaheim does not impose breed-specific restrictions. California state law (Food & Agriculture Code 31683) prohibits breed-specific bans. Dangerous and vicious dogs are regulated based on behavior under state law and AMC Chapter 8.08.
Anaheim Dog Breed & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as prov...
Beekeeping
Anaheim regulates animal keeping under AMC Section 18.38.030 and defers to Orange County for beekeeping enforcement. Beekeeping in residential areas is subject to nuisance provisions and may require compliance with California Food and Agriculture Code.
Anaheim Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Anaheim defers to Orange County and California Department of Fish and Wildlife for exotic pet regulations. Keeping wild, exotic, or dangerous animals requires a county license under OCCO 4-1-94. State permits may also be required.
Anaheim Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Fish & Game Code § 2118 (Restricted Live Wild Animals)
2118. It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species: (a) Class Aves: (birds) Family Cuculidae (cuckoos) All Species. Family Alaudidae (larks) Skylark, Alauda arvensis Family Corvidae (crows, jays, magpies)...
Wildlife Feeding
Anaheim discourages feeding wildlife in public areas under general nuisance and park regulations. AMC Chapter 13.08 governs conduct in parks. Feeding coyotes or other wildlife that creates a public safety hazard may result in citation.
Anaheim Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources...
Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in Anaheim is addressed through animal keeping limits in the municipal code and nuisance abatement. Exceeding permitted animal numbers or maintaining unsanitary conditions triggers enforcement by Code Enforcement and OC Animal Care.
Anaheim Animal Hoarding Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 597 (Animal Cruelty)
597. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section or Section 599c, a person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal, or maliciously and intentionally kills an animal, is guilty of a crime punishable pursuant to subdivision (d). (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a) or (c), a person who overdrives, overloads, drives when ...
Pet Limits
Anaheim Municipal Code Title 6 generally limits households to four dogs and four cats over four months old, with additional animals requiring a kennel or cattery permit through Planning and OC Animal Care.
Anaheim Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Anaheim does not require cat licensing under AMC Title 6, but cats must be spayed or neutered if outdoors and cannot be allowed to run at large to disturb neighbors or wildlife habitat.
Anaheim Cat Licensing and Outdoor Rules
Few RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Anaheim follows California state guidance and OC Animal Care policy requiring spay or neuter for adopted shelter animals, with intact-animal permits required for breeding dogs and unaltered animals subject to higher license fees.
Anaheim Mandatory Spay/Neuter Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 30503 (Mandatory Spay/Neuter Before Sale or Adoption of Dogs)
30503. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), no public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group shall sell or give away to a new owner any dog that has not been spayed or neutered. (2) For the purposes of this section a “rescue group” is a for-profit or not-for-profit entity, or a colla...
Microchipping
Anaheim requires that dogs and cats released from OC Animal Care impound be microchipped, and California state law mandates microchipping before any shelter release, ensuring lost pets can be reunited quickly.
Anaheim Pet Microchip Requirements
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Anaheim coordinates with OC Animal Care and California Department of Fish and Wildlife on coyote hazing, pet protection, and food-source elimination, with lethal removal reserved for animals that bite humans.
Anaheim Coyote Management Guidelines
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Anaheim pet stores must comply with California AB 485, which prohibits retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits unless sourced from public shelters or qualifying nonprofit rescues, eliminating commercial puppy mill pipelines.
Anaheim Pet Store Sourcing Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 122354.5 (Pet Store Sourcing Restrictions)
122354.5. (a) A pet store shall not adopt out, sell, or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. This section does not prevent a pet store from providing space to display animals for adoption in accordance with subdivision (b). (b) (1) A pet store shall not provide space for the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits available for adoption unless the animals are displayed by either a public animal cont...
Pet Groomer Rules
Anaheim allows pet grooming as a commercial use under AMC Title 18 with a city business license, basic sanitation standards, and no overnight boarding without separate conditional use permits.
Anaheim Pet Grooming Business Rules
Few RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Anaheim allows veterinary clinics in commercial and limited industrial zones under AMC Title 18, generally requiring conditional use permits when boarding overnight animals or operating within sound-sensitive residential buffers.
Anaheim Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code protect active bird nests in Anaheim, requiring tree work and rooftop projects to avoid disturbance during the February to September nesting season.
Anaheim Migratory Bird and Nest Protection
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Fish & Game Code § 3503 (Protection of Birds, Nests, and Eggs)
3503. It is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird, except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation made pursuant thereto.
Wildlife Rescue Permits
California Fish and Wildlife issues wildlife rehabilitator permits required to possess injured native wildlife in Anaheim, and unpermitted residents must transport injured animals promptly to a licensed rehabber.
Anaheim Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Permits
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife – Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Program
Native Wildlife Rehabilitation [...] Injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals may be temporarily possessed for rehabilitation by a person in California under a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by CDFW. Trained wildlife rehabilitators provide treatment and care of these animals for the purpose of their release, in a condition of good health, to suitable habitat in the wild. Wildlife ...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Anaheim city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Orange County →