Animal Ordinances in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Costa Mesa bans keeping livestock, including poultry, anywhere in the city unless the owner first applies to the police chief for a special animal permit and it is granted. The Municipal Code's livestock definition names poultry alongside horses, goats and swine, so backyard chickens fall under the same permit-first rule.
Costa Mesa Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code §§ 3-1, 3-13
No person shall keep any livestock within the city unless an application is made to the police chief for a special animal permit as set forth in Chapter VII of this title and is granted. This shall not apply to the Orange County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center. ... Livestock. Horses, ponies, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, sheep, rams, lambs, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers, cows, calves,...
Dog Leash Laws
Costa Mesa requires every dog on a street, alley, park or other public place to be on a leash or chain no longer than six feet, held by the person in charge of it. Section 3-112 lets any police or city enforcement officer order an unleashed dog removed from public property on the spot.
Costa Mesa Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code § 3-112
No person having the care, charge or control of any dog shall permit or allow the dog to be present upon any street, alley, park or public place in the city unless such dog is securely restrained by a leash or chain not exceeding six feet in length and to be held by that person. Any police or other city enforcement officer may order that the owner or person having the care, charge or control of...
Breed Restrictions
Costa Mesa doesn't ban any dog breed by name; instead Chapter VII of Title 3 judges animals by behavior, defining "potentially dangerous" and "vicious" animals based on threatening acts or bites, not breed. A police hearing officer can order restraint, a "Beware of Dog" sign, or the animal's removal or destruction.
Costa Mesa Vicious & Dangerous Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code § 3-164
Potentially dangerous animal means any of the following: Any animal that menaces, chases, displays threatening or aggressive behavior or otherwise threatens or endangers the safety of any person or domestic animal. ... Any animal that aggressively bites or causes physical injury to any person or domestic animal. Vicious animal means any animal which has bitten a person or animal without provoca...
Beekeeping
Costa Mesa bans keeping any hive or swarm of bees without first getting a residential beekeeping permit from the police department. Hives must sit at least 15 feet from property lines and 25 feet from neighboring homes, or be shielded by a six-foot barrier, and only two production hives are allowed per property.
Costa Mesa Residential Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code §§ 3-18.3, 3-18.4
It is unlawful for any person to have, keep or maintain any hive or swarm of wasps, hornets, bees, or other swarming insects within the city. ... The keeping of domesticated bees after obtaining a permit from the chief of police or their designee as hereinafter provided. ... Beehives should be located at least 15 feet from any property line and 25 feet from neighboring residential buildings unl...
Exotic Pets
Costa Mesa follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations prohibiting most exotic animals as pets. Ferrets, hedgehogs, and certain reptiles are restricted or banned under state law. OC Animal Care enforces animal regulations in the city.
Costa Mesa Exotic Pet Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Fish & Game Code Title 14 §671 — Restricted Species Permits
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
Costa Mesa prohibits or discourages feeding wildlife including coyotes, feral cats, and pigeons in public areas. Residents must secure trash to prevent wildlife encounters. The city works with OC Animal Care on coyote management programs.
Costa Mesa Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Fish & Game Code § 251.1 (CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit)
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources...
Pet Limits
Costa Mesa caps most households at five animals over four months old on one property. Section 3-14 of the Municipal Code makes it unlawful to keep, possess or harbor more without a special permit from the police chief, unless the premises is a licensed animal-related business.
Costa Mesa Household Pet Limit: Five Animals
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code § 3-14
It is unlawful for any person to keep, possess or harbor more than five animals over the age of four months on any premises, except on a business establishment premises on which a licensed business is operated, providing for the keeping of animals. Any person desiring to keep or maintain any animals in excess of the allowed number may make application to the police chief for a permit as set for...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Orange County →