Animal Ordinances in Dublin, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Dublin, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Dublin, California treats backyard poultry and other livestock as a permitted accessory use only with a City-issued Animal Fanciers Permit anywhere in an "R" residential zoning district. Chickens fall under the code's "livestock" definition alongside horses, goats, and rabbits, so keeping them without a permit in an R district is unlawful.
Dublin, CA Backyard Poultry and Livestock Permit
Significant RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code §§ 5.36.020, 5.36.030
"Livestock" means any domesticated farm animal, including, but not limited to, horse, cow, sheep, goat, rabbit, poultry and any commercial fur bearing animals, including but not limited to, mink and chinchilla, but does not mean or include household pets. ... No person shall keep more than two (2) dogs or keep more than two (2) cats, or keep any livestock as accessory to any dwelling unit locat...
Dog Leash Laws
Dublin, California bars dogs from running at large anywhere in the city and requires a leash no longer than six feet whenever a dog is off its owner's property, unless the animal is working livestock or hunting under a competent handler.
Dublin, CA Dog Leash Law: Six-Foot Maximum
Some RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 5.36.220
No owner shall allow or permit any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any private place or premises other than those of said owner except with the consent of the person in charge of said private place or premises, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and i...
Breed Restrictions
Dublin, California does not ban dog breeds. Instead, Chapter 5.36's dangerous-dog article lets the city declare an individual dog "potentially dangerous" or "vicious" based on its own bite or attack history, then order it leashed, muzzled, removed, or in the worst cases euthanized.
Dublin, CA Dangerous and Vicious Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 5.36.290
"Potentially dangerous dog" means any of the following: 1. Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six (36) month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog. 2. Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person...
Exotic Pets
Dublin, California requires a Director-issued permit before anyone owns or keeps a defined "exotic animal," a list covering large snakes and crocodilians, hawks and other raptors, non-domestic big cats, primates, and any animal venomous to humans other than honeybees.
Dublin, CA Exotic Animal Keeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 5.36.470
No person shall own or keep any exotic animal without first applying to and receiving from the Director a permit to do so.
Pet Limits
Dublin, California caps households in "R" zoning districts at two dogs or two cats per dwelling without a permit. Anyone who wants to keep more animals than that must first obtain an Animal Fanciers Permit from the Director, the same permit that separately governs backyard livestock.
Dublin, CA Pet Limit: Two Dogs or Two Cats
Some RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 5.36.030
No person shall keep more than two (2) dogs or keep more than two (2) cats, or keep any livestock as accessory to any dwelling unit located in any "R" zoning district as designated on the city zoning map except in accordance with the provisions of a valid animal fanciers permit issued by the Director.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Dublin, California, veterinary clinics and animal hospitals fall under the zoning code's 'Animal Sales and Services' use type. The Alameda County city's Land Use Matrix requires a Conditional Use Permit everywhere the use is allowed: the Zoning Administrator decides applications in the Agricultural district, while the Planning Commission decides them in the C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 districts. Every residential, C-O, C-N and M-P district excludes the use outright.
Dublin, CA Veterinary Clinic Zoning Requirements
Some RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 8.08.020
Animal Sales and Services (use type). The term Animal Sales and Services shall mean establishments which sell animals or provide services related to animals including hay and feed sales, animal grooming, animal hospital, animal sales, kennel, veterinarian, veterinary clinic or hospital, and similar goods or services determined to be substantially similar to the above by the Director of Communit...
Bird Protection
Dublin bars anyone from capturing, hunting, molesting, injuring, frightening, trapping, killing, teasing, or throwing objects at any wild or domestic bird inside a city park, absent express Director authorization, under Section 5.100.130(A). Abandoning a bird in a park is also unlawful under the same section.
Dublin, CA Wild Bird Protection in Parks
Some RestrictionsDublin Municipal Code § 5.100.130(A)
Unless expressly authorized by the Director, no person in a park shall: A. Capture, hunt, molest, injure, frighten, trap, kill, tease or hurt, throw or otherwise project objects at any wild or domestic fowl, animal, reptile, fish or bird;
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dublin city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →