Animal Ordinances in Berkeley, CA (2026)
15 verified animal ordinances for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Berkeley allows up to 6 hens on residential lots with no roosters, under BMC Title 10, with setback and coop requirements that reflect the city urban homesteading culture.
Berkeley Chicken Keeping
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Berkeley requires dogs on leash 6 feet or shorter in public under BMC 10.04, with designated off-leash areas at Ohlone Dog Park and Cesar Chavez Park, and strict enforcement.
Berkeley Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Berkeley does not restrict dogs by breed, consistent with California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 which preempts breed-specific bans, but enforces strict dangerous dog rules.
Berkeley Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code § 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
Berkeley permits backyard beekeeping with registration and hive setback requirements, reflecting the city support for pollinator health and urban agriculture.
Berkeley Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Berkeley follows California restricted species rules under Title 14 CCR, banning most wild and exotic animals as pets, with additional local limits on large reptiles and primates.
Berkeley Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Berkeley prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and turkeys under BMC and state guidance, reflecting concern for public safety in Berkeley Hills.
Berkeley Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Berkeley prohibits large livestock such as cows, horses, pigs, and sheep on residential lots, allowing only small urban agriculture animals like hens, rabbits, and miniature goats case by case.
Berkeley Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Berkeley treats animal hoarding as a public nuisance and animal cruelty issue under BMC Title 6, with Berkeley Animal Care Services authorized to investigate and remove animals when conditions threaten welfare or neighbors.
Berkeley Animal Hoarding Limits and Welfare Enforcement
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Berkeley caps the combined number of dogs and cats kept at a single residence under BMC Title 6, with kennel permits required for higher counts and additional rules for unaltered animals and licensing.
Berkeley Limits on Number of Dogs and Cats per Home
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Berkeley Animal Care Services adopts dogs and cats under spay-neuter contracts, and California state law requires shelters statewide to alter animals before release, with limited medical exemptions.
Berkeley Spay-Neuter Requirements for Adopted Pets
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Berkeley Animal Care Services microchips all dogs and cats released for adoption and offers low-cost microchipping clinics, while state law requires shelter animals to be chipped before transfer to new owners.
Berkeley Microchipping Encouraged at Adoption and Licensing
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Berkeley follows a coexistence framework for coyotes in the hills and creek corridors, encouraging hazing and pet supervision rather than lethal removal, consistent with California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance.
Berkeley Coyote Coexistence and Hazing Guidance
Few RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Berkeley pet stores may sell dogs, cats, and rabbits only if sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues, mirroring California AB 485 and reinforcing the city humane sourcing policy.
Berkeley Pet Store Rescue-Only Sourcing Rule
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 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 control agency...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet groomers in Berkeley operate under business license, zoning, and animal-care standards, with mobile groomers requiring additional permits for graywater, parking, and noise compliance during service calls.
Berkeley Pet Grooming Business Rules and Zoning
Some RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Berkeley are permitted in commercial zoning districts subject to use permits, with overnight boarding and outdoor runs triggering additional review for noise, odor, and waste-handling impacts on neighbors.
Berkeley Veterinary Clinic Zoning and Boarding Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →