Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Animal Ordinances in Brentwood, CA (2026)

8 verified animal ordinances for Brentwood, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

Backyard chickens are permitted in Brentwood on most residential lots, with limits commonly of 4-6 hens, no roosters, and coop setbacks from neighboring structures. Agricultural-zoned parcels have no hen limit. Under BMC Title 17, coops must be kept sanitary and meet setback requirements from property lines.

Animals: Chickens Backyard

Few Restrictions

Dog Leash Laws

All dogs in Brentwood over 4 months old must be licensed through Contra Costa Animal Services and wear a current rabies tag. Dogs must be leashed in all public areas except designated off-leash areas, under BMC Chapter 6.04 and Contra Costa County Code Title 4.

Animals: Dogs Leash License

Some Restrictions

Breed Restrictions

Brentwood enforces Contra Costa County's behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog ordinance through Animal Services. Any dog that bites, attacks, or threatens a person or animal can be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, triggering mandatory containment, muzzle, insurance, and microchip requirements. California law preempts breed-specific bans.

Animals: Dangerous Dogs

Heavy Restrictions

California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 (Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs)

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 ...

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is permitted in Brentwood on agricultural and most residential lots, with hive setback requirements from property lines and registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Ag Code §29040. Brentwood's orchard agriculture makes beekeeping especially compatible.

Animals: Beekeeping

Few Restrictions

California Food & Agricultural Code § 29040 (Apiary Registration)

29040. Every person that is the owner, broker, or is in possession of an apiary that is located within the state, on the first day of January of each year, shall register the number of colonies in each apiary that is owned or possessed by the person and the location of each apiary. Every person required to register under this article, shall do so on the first day of January of each year in whic...

Exotic Pets

California bans most exotic pets statewide under Title 14 CCR §671, which preempts local ordinances. Prohibited species include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys, large constrictors, and most wild species. Brentwood enforces these state restrictions through Contra Costa Animal Services.

Animals: Exotic Pets

Heavy Restrictions

Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 671 (CDFW Restricted Species)

Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of a...

Wildlife Feeding

Wildlife in Brentwood (deer, coyotes, turkeys, raccoons, hawks, and mountain lions in nearby Los Vaqueros Watershed) is protected under state law and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Feeding wildlife is prohibited, and most species cannot be trapped or relocated without a CDFW depredation permit.

Animals: Wildlife

Some Restrictions

Cal. Fish & Game Code § 251.1 (CDFW Keep Me Wild)

CA.gov Official website of the State of California About Us Contact State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife Menu Custom Google Search Home Fishing Hunting Licensing Conservation Learning Home / HWC Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Vision: To proactively address human-wildlife conflicts and improve wildlife incident responses; to support safe human-wildlife interactions; and to incre...

Livestock

Brentwood's agricultural heritage is reflected in the Municipal Code: livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are permitted on parcels zoned A (Agricultural) and in residential zones meeting minimum lot size and setback requirements. Right-to-Farm protections under California Civil Code §3482.5 apply to established ag operations.

Animals: Livestock

Few Restrictions

Pet Limits

Brentwood residential properties are typically limited to 3-4 dogs and similar numbers of cats per household under BMC Chapter 6.04 and Contra Costa County Code. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel permit. Agricultural-zoned parcels generally have no pet-number limits.

Animals: Pet Limits

Some Restrictions

Looking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brentwood city rules.

Animal Ordinances in Contra Costa County