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Animal Ordinances in Carson, CA (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

Carson's zoning code prohibits residents from keeping livestock or fowl, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other farm animals, at any dwelling unit or group quarters in the city, regardless of zone.

Carson Bans Backyard Chickens, Livestock

Heavy Restrictions

Carson Municipal Code § 9122.3

Large animals or livestock such as horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, hogs and fowl such as chickens, turkeys, peacocks, guineas, geese and ducks, are not permitted. (Interpretation of this provision to be in accordance with CMC § 9172.24.) Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 2 of...

Dog Leash Laws

Carson requires dogs in city parks to be leashed at all times, except in posted off-leash dog park areas and for approved teaching or service-animal uses, under a local addition to its adopted county Animal Control Ordinance.

Carson Dog Leash Rule in Public Parks

Some Restrictions

Carson Municipal Code § 3301 (Animal Control Ordinance § 10.40.110)

10.40.110 Dogs – Prohibited in Public Parks. A. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any dog to allow said animal to enter upon any public park, except as otherwise provided in this Section. B. Such dogs shall be leashed at all times while in public parks, except as otherwise provided in this Section. G. The provisions of subsections (A)-(F) of this Section do not proh...

Exotic Pets

Carson's animal ordinance defines 'wild animal' broadly to cover any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic mammal, bird, fish, or reptile, with a single narrow legacy exception for alligators kept as pets before the City incorporated in 1968.

Carson Wild Animal Pet Restriction

Significant Restrictions

Carson Municipal Code § 3305 (Animal Control Ordinance § 10.08.250)

10.08.250 Wild Animal. "Wild animal" means any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal, including but not limited to mammals, fowl, fish or reptiles, except alligators which have been kept as pets within single family residential property occupied by the owners thereof located in the area now within the city limits of the City of Carson continuously since a date prior to the incorporatio...

Pet Limits

Carson zoning limits any dwelling to three cats and dogs combined, plus small caps on other small animals, and bans livestock and fowl entirely in residential zones.

Carson Caps Animals Per Dwelling

Some Restrictions

Carson Municipal Code § 9122.3

The occupants of each dwelling unit or group quarters are permitted to keep only the following types of animals, for their personal use only, with the number of animals limited as indicated: Cats and dogs, but not more than a total, in any combination of three (3) such animals over four (4) months of age. Any number of tropical fish (no caribe). Not more than 20 white mice and rats. Not mor...

Cat Rules

Carson requires every cat over four months old to be licensed and tagged, with fees set by the City and reduced rates for spayed/neutered animals, seniors, and service animals.

Carson Cat Licensing Requirement

Some Restrictions

Carson Municipal Code § 3308 (Animal Control Ordinance § 10.20.030)

10.20.030 License – Required – Costs. Every person owning or having custody or control of any dog or cat over the age of four (4) months in the City of Carson shall obtain a license from the director for each of such dogs and cats and shall pay the fees for such licenses as set forth in Section 10.90.010.

Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?

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

Animal Ordinances in Los Angeles County