Animal Ordinances in Chula Vista, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Chula Vista, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Chula Vista lets residents keep a limited number of horses, cows or sheep only on large lots and only far from neighboring homes: a cow or two sheep need 15,000 square feet, horses need 20,000, and no animal may come within 100 feet of any dwelling but the owner's.
Chula Vista Horse, Cow & Sheep Keeping Limits
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.04.020
A. No horse, cow or sheep shall be kept or maintained within 100 feet of any dwelling, not including the owner's. B. One cow or two sheep may be kept by a family on a single tract of land having a minimum of 15,000 square feet, or two horses on a single tract of land having a minimum of 20,000 square feet therein, and containing not more than one single-family dwelling unit thereon. One additio...
Dog Leash Laws
Chula Vista requires dogs to be leashed or confined whenever off the owner's property under CVMC 6.24.020 and 6.24.030, with narrow exceptions for sanctioned obedience trials, legal hunting, herding, and police work under direct control.
Chula Vista Dog Leash & Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.24.020
It is unlawful for any person owning, having interest in, harboring or having the care, charge, custody, control or possession of a dog to suffer, allow or permit such dog to: A. Be upon any public street, alley, park or other public place in the City, including public or private school grounds in the City, unless such dog is restrained by a chain, line or leash and is in the custody of some co...
Breed Restrictions
Chula Vista does not impose breed-specific restrictions on dog ownership. The city regulates dangerous and vicious dogs based on individual animal behavior under CVMC Title 6, not by breed. California state law (Food & Agriculture Code section 31683) preempts local breed-specific legislation.
Chula Vista Dog Breed Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 31683
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
Chula Vista bars beehives within 600 feet of any residential building under CVMC 6.04.100, effectively closing off most residential lots to backyard hives unless the keeper fits a narrow school, medical-research, or supervised scientific-study exception.
Chula Vista Beekeeping & Apiary Rules
Significant RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.04.100
It is unlawful for any owner or occupant to allow, permit or maintain stands or hives of bees in or upon the owner's or occupant's premises if the premises are within 600 feet of any building used for residential purposes in the City; provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the keeping of bees: A. In a hive or box located in a schoolhou...
Exotic Pets
Chula Vista prohibits the possession of wild or exotic animals not normally domesticated in the United States under CVMC 6.04.070. This includes large cats, bears, primates, wolves, and venomous reptiles. Special requirements apply to large constrictor snakes and monitor lizards.
Chula Vista Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. 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...
Pet Limits
Chula Vista caps dogs and cats by lot size: small lots and apartments get just two pets total, while the largest single-family lots can keep up to six dogs and six cats. The City Manager can waive the cap case by case.
Chula Vista Dog & Cat Household Limits
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.04.040
A. Single-family lots of less than 3,500 square feet and all multiple-family dwellings (i.e., attached apartments, condominiums and/or townhomes): The keeping of any animal other than one dog and one cat, or two dogs or two cats, per dwelling unit is prohibited. ... E. Single-family lots of 20,000 square feet or larger: The keeping of more than six dogs and six cats is prohibited.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Chula Vista requires any dog or cat impounded a second time at the City Animal Care Facility to be spayed or neutered under CVMC Chapter 6.22, with a waiver available only for extraordinary circumstances like earthquakes or fires.
Chula Vista Mandatory Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.22.010
A. Any dog or cat which is impounded for a second time at the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility shall be required to be spayed or neutered. B. The City Manager or his/her designee may waive impound requirements in the case of extraordinary circumstances such as earthquakes and fires.
Pet Store Rules
Chula Vista bans pet shops from selling dogs or cats outright under CVMC 6.08.108, and every kennel, cattery, or pet shop must still hold an annual City permit certified against zoning under Chapter 6.08.
Chula Vista Pet Shop Dog & Cat Sales Ban
Heavy RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 6.08.108
Pet shops are prohibited from selling dogs or cats in the City of Chula Vista. (Ord. 3226 § 1, 2012).
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Chula Vista requires animal hospitals and veterinarian facilities to sit at least 100 feet from any residential zone, restaurant, hotel, or motel, and to control noise and odor before a zoning permit issues. Carcass incineration on-site is barred outright under CVMC 19.58.050.
Chula Vista Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 19.58.050
Animal hospital and veterinarian facilities shall be located no closer than 100 feet to any residential zone, or restaurant, hotel or motel in any zone, and shall show that adequate measures and controls shall be taken to prevent offensive noise and odor before a zoning permit is granted (see CVMC 19.66.080 through 19.66.150). No incineration of refuse or animal carcasses shall be permitted on ...
Bird Protection
Inside any Chula Vista park or recreation area, wounding, killing, catching or poisoning a wild bird is unlawful. The park-rules chapter also bars feeding birds or other animals anything toxic, including alcohol and tobacco.
Chula Vista Bans Harming Birds in City Parks
Some RestrictionsChula Vista Municipal Code § 2.66.160
It is unlawful to wound, kill or catch or to attempt to wound, kill or catch any bird or other animal except on the direction of the City.
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chula Vista city rules.
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