Animal Ordinances in Cathedral City, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Cathedral City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Cathedral City, California, keeping fowl, rabbits or guinea pigs is unlawful everywhere except an RE zone, where the cap is a total of three and every animal sits at least twenty feet from a house. Pigs, goats, horses and similar livestock get a separate RE-zone cap of three.
Cathedral City Chickens, Fowl and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code §§ 9.100.020, 9.100.030
A. It is unlawful to keep fowl, rabbits, guinea pigs or similar animals in the city except that such animals may be kept in an RE zone not to exceed a total combination of three and providing all of them are kept at least twenty feet from any house built or used for human habitation. Roosters or other fowl which constitute a nuisance by their loud cries, are not allowed in any zone. B. The city...
Dog Leash Laws
In Cathedral City parks and recreation areas, a dog must be led by a cord or chain not more than six feet long, unless it is a certified service dog or has written authorization from the city manager. City dog parks are the exception, where dogs can be off-leash under voice control within fifty feet of the owner.
Cathedral City Dog Leash Rules in Parks
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 11.44.110
A. No dog owner shall bring a dog into or upon a public park or recreation area, excluding city dog parks; nor shall any such person otherwise suffer or permit any such dog to enter or remain in a public park or recreation area, excluding city dog parks, unless such dog is led by a cord or chain not more than six feet long or one or both of the following exceptions applies: 1. The dog has been ...
Pet Limits
Cathedral City, California, allows dogs and cats in every zone, capped at three of each or a combination not to exceed three animals on a single legal lot. Offspring are not counted toward that maximum until they reach weanable or self-sufficient age.
Cathedral City Dog and Cat Limit Per Lot
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code §§ 9.100.050, 9.100.060
Dogs and cats may be kept in any zone within the city provided that no more than three of each or a combination not to exceed three of these animals are kept within a single legal lot. ... § 9.100.060. Animal offspring. The offspring of animals shall not be counted toward the maximum allowed number until they are of weanable or self-sufficient age.
Cat Rules
In Cathedral City, California, dogs and cats can be kept in any zone provided no more than three of each, or a combination not to exceed three of these animals, are kept within a single legal lot. The same limit is printed in the zoning code, and the City Council adopted Riverside County Code Title 6 by reference for other animal control rules.
Cathedral City Cat and Dog Limit Per Lot
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 10.10.050
Dogs and cats may be kept in any zone within the city provided that no more than three of each or a combination not to exceed three of these animals are kept within a single legal lot as provided in Section 9.100.050 of this code.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In Cathedral City, California, the Municipal Code requires a dog to be spayed or neutered only as a condition of using a city dog park. Section 11.44.120 demands that the dog be sterile or that the owner carry a certificate of sterility from a California licensed veterinarian, with four listed exceptions.
Cathedral City Dog Park Spay and Neuter Requirement
Light RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 11.44.120
§ 11.44.120. Dogs in city dog parks. All users of city dog parks shall comply with the following: A. All dogs must be spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility from a California licensed veterinarian with the following exceptions: 1. Dogs with high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. Dog owners must obtain written ...
Pet Groomer Rules
In Cathedral City, a dog groomer has one named home in the zoning code: the MXC Mixed Use Commercial district, where § 9.31.020 lists 'Veterinarian, dog groomer and pet boutique' as a permitted use. The word groomer appears nowhere else in the Municipal Code, and uses not listed in MXC are expressly prohibited there.
Cathedral City Dog Groomer Zoning: Permitted in MXC District
Light RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.31.020
§ 9.31.020. Permitted uses. ... The following uses shall be permitted in the MXC district: ... Veterinarian, dog groomer and pet boutique;
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Cathedral City, veterinary zoning turns on overnight stays. In the NBP Neighborhood Business Park district, § 9.38.030 permits animal clinics and veterinarians with no overnight facilities, and § 9.38.040 requires a conditional use permit under Chapter 9.72 for animal clinics and veterinarians with overnight facilities.
Cathedral City Veterinarian Zoning: Overnight Boarding Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code §§ 9.38.030, 9.38.040
§ 9.38.030. Permitted uses. ... A. Animal clinics, veterinarians (no overnight facilities); ... § 9.38.040. Conditional uses. The following uses may be permitted subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 9.72: Animal clinics, veterinarians (with overnight facilities);
Bird Protection
In Cathedral City, no person can kill, capture or molest any species of wildlife, or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife, except a poisonous reptile or insect. The city manager issues a permit to kill or capture wildlife that has become a menace to health, safety or property, and poison or diseased material is barred in every case.
Cathedral City Wildlife, Bird and Nest Protection
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 11.36.010
No person shall kill, capture or molest any species of wildlife or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife within the city, except any poisonous reptile or insect; provided, however, that if it is determined by the city manager, or his authorized representative, that wildlife has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property, the city manager shall issue a permit authorizing any pe...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cathedral City city rules.
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