Animal Ordinances in Cupertino, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Cupertino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cupertino has no dedicated backyard-chicken ordinance; hens are kept as household pets within the four-animal limit of zoning code 19.28.030(H) and must not create a noise nuisance under the City's animal-nuisance rule.
Cupertino Chickens and Backyard Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Cupertino Municipal Code 8.03.010 requires every dog to be under physical restraint by leash, or confined behind a fence at least six feet high, whenever it is off the owner's controlled property.
Cupertino Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Cupertino does not ban or restrict any dog breed. California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 preempts breed-specific bans, so no pit-bull or other breed prohibition can exist locally.
Cupertino Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Cupertino has no beekeeping-specific ordinance; hives are treated as an accessory residential use that must not create a nuisance, and California requires all hives be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.
Cupertino Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Cupertino has no exotic-pet ordinance of its own; possession of wild and exotic animals is governed by California Fish and Game Code restrictions and state permit requirements, enforced through state and county agencies.
Cupertino Exotic and Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Cupertino discourages feeding wild animals through its nuisance and sanitation provisions; feeding that attracts pests, coyotes, or other wildlife and disturbs neighbors can be abated as a public nuisance.
Cupertino Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Cupertino is a built-up suburb where residential zoning does not accommodate cattle, horses, or other large livestock; keeping is constrained by the four-animal household-pet limit and nuisance rules rather than an agricultural allowance.
Cupertino Livestock Keeping Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Cupertino addresses animal hoarding through its four-pet household limit, nuisance and sanitation provisions, and California animal-cruelty law, with investigation handled by San Jose Animal Care and Services.
Cupertino Animal Hoarding Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Cupertino zoning code 19.28.030(H) allows a maximum of four adult household pets per single-family site, of which no more than two may be adult dogs or cats.
Cupertino Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Cupertino has no cat leash or licensing mandate; cats count within the household-pet limit and must not create a nuisance, with sheltering and stray response handled by San Jose Animal Care and Services.
Cupertino Cat Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cupertino city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Santa Clara County →