Animal Ordinances in Davis, CA (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Davis, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Davis bans cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats and most poultry outright, but residents may keep up to six chicken hens, pigeons or rabbits (in combination) in a clean pen at least forty feet from any neighboring residence without a permit.
Davis Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 5.01.020
A total of not more than six chicken hens or six pigeons or a combination of chicken hens and pigeons not to exceed the number of six, or a total of not more than six rabbits may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary pen or structure, no part of which shall be located less than forty feet from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possessio...
Dog Leash Laws
Davis defines a dog as 'at large' when it is off its owner's property and not under leash restraint. Exceptions exist for designated exercise areas, animal shows and city-issued obedience-training permits; violations are infractions with escalating fines.
Davis Dogs Running At Large Rules
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 5.04.040
At large means a dog off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash controlled by the owner or custodian of such dog.
Breed Restrictions
Davis has no breed-specific ban. Instead, Section 5.02.010 adopts the entire vicious-animal article of the Yolo County Code by reference, enforcing it inside city limits regardless of the animal's breed.
Davis Vicious Animal Rules (County Code)
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 5.02.010
Title 6, Chapter 1, Article 10 of the Yolo County Code, in its entirety, pertaining to vicious animals, is incorporated by reference into this Code and shall be enforced within the limits of the city.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Davis requires an animal hospital or veterinary hospital to sit at least one hundred feet from any residential district, restaurant, hotel or motel under Section 40.26.040 of the zoning code, and to control noise and odor and refuse incineration on site.
Davis Animal Hospital Setback Requirement
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 40.26.040
Animal hospitals and veterinarian hospitals shall be located no closer than one hundred feet from any residential district, restaurant, hotel or motel in any district and shall show that adequate measures and controls shall be taken to prevent offensive noise and odor. No incineration of refuse shall be permitted on the premises.
Bird Protection
Davis bans hunting, harming, killing, or harassing wildlife, including birds, in the city's open space areas. The rule sits alongside separate bans on hunting and firearms in those same areas, and a violation is an infraction under the same article.
Davis Wildlife Protection in Open Space
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code Section 27.03.140
Except for authorized city maintenance, construction or pest control activities, no person using an open space area shall hunt, harm, molest, kill or harass any wildlife found on that property.
Looking for Yolo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Davis city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Yolo County →