Animal Ordinances in Apple Valley, CA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Apple Valley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Apple Valley bars dogs from running at large on any public street, park, school ground or unenclosed private lot without the owner's consent. Away from home, a dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet, crated in a vehicle, or working as a law-enforcement or livestock-herding animal under command.
Apple Valley Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 15.01.070(c)-(e)
(c)No person in Apple Valley may lawfully bring his or her dog out of his or her premises or property unless:(1)Said dog is restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six ft. in length and is in the charge of a person competent to restrain such dog; or(2)Said dog is properly restrained and enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure; or(3)Said dog is used for law enforcement purposes or f...
Breed Restrictions
Apple Valley has no ordinance that targets pit bulls or any other breed; state Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 bars cities from regulating dogs by breed. Instead, Chapter 15.03 of the Municipal Code lets the Town declare an individual dog "potentially dangerous" or "vicious" after a hearing, based on that dog's own bite or attack history.
Apple Valley Has No Breed-Specific Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 15.03.010 (Declaration of Public Nuisance); § 15.03.020 (Definitions)
It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to establish the Town's own program, including procedures for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs or animals, as recognized by Food and Agricultural Code division 14, chapter 9, § 31683 (entitled "Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs"). Attacks by potentially dangerous or vicious dogs or animals on human beings and domestic animals...
Beekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is allowed in Apple Valley only on larger residential lots. Section 9.29.030(I) of the Development Code limits hives to the R-VLD, R-A, and R-LD districts on parcels of two and a half acres or more, requires a 100-foot setback from property lines, and caps density at eight hives per two and a half acres.
Apple Valley Beekeeping and Bee Hive Rules
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 9.29.030(I)
Bee hives shall be permitted in the R-VLD, R-A, and R-LD zoning districts on lots of two and one-half (2½) acres or larger subject to the requirements of this Section. All bee keeping shall be subject to the following requirements:1.Bee hives and their water source shall be placed a minimum of 100 feet from any property line and a minimum of 400 feet from any street, road or highway, any public...
Exotic Pets
Apple Valley bars anyone from keeping, breeding, selling, trading or hiring out a wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal without first obtaining special authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game. Licensed circuses, carnivals, zoos and other government-jurisdiction wildlife collections are exempt from the rule.
Apple Valley Wild and Exotic Animal Permit
Significant RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 15.01.100
No person shall have, keep, maintain, breed, sell, trade or let for hire, any wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal without first applying to and receiving special authorization from the State of California, Department of Fish and Game. The keeping or maintenance of such animals shall also conform to the Town Development Code and Town Municipal Code. The provisions of this Chapter shall...
Pet Limits
Apple Valley permits up to four dogs and up to four cats by right in most residential districts under Table 15.01.125A. Beyond that, up to a combined total of eight dogs and cats requires an Animal Control Permit and mandatory spaying or neutering of every animal on the property.
Apple Valley Household Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 15.01.125(a)-(c); Table 15.01.125A, Note 4
(a)All animal keeping and animal density is subject to limitations shown in Table 15.01.125A. ... 4 Excess of four, not to exceed a combined total of eight dogs and cats, requires an Animal Control Permit and that all animals be spayed or neutered. ... (b)Offspring. The offspring born of such animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be remov...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Any dog or cat adopted from the Town of Apple Valley Animal Shelter must be spayed or neutered at the time of adoption. A sick or injured animal can be adopted with a refundable deposit, but it must be altered within 14 business days of a veterinarian certifying it healthy enough.
Apple Valley Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Municipal Code § 15.01.095
Any dog or cat adopted from Town of Apple Valley Animal Shelter shall be spayed or neutered at the time of adoption. If a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this State certifies that a dog or cat is too sick or injured to be spayed or neutered, or that it would be otherwise detrimental to the health of the dog or cat to be spayed or neutered, the adopter or purchaser shall...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apple Valley city rules.
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