Animal Ordinances in El Cajon, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for El Cajon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
El Cajon allows up to 10 chickens in single-family residential zones at 1 per 100 sq ft of unpaved rear yard. No roosters. Chickens must be in fully enclosed runs with 10 sq ft per bird. Other livestock restricted to larger-lot zones.
El Cajon Chickens & Livestock Regulations
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
El Cajon requires dogs to be on leash in all city parks. Wells Park has a designated leash-free area. San Diego County leash laws requiring 6-foot leashes on public property also apply.
El Cajon Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
El Cajon has no breed-specific restrictions, consistent with CA Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683. Individual dogs may be designated potentially dangerous or vicious based on behavior only.
El Cajon Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsCA Food & Agricultural 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
El Cajon allows up to 4 beehives per property with specific placement restrictions. Only docile species permitted. Hives must not be visible from the public right-of-way or in front/exterior yards. County registration required.
El Cajon Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (14 CCR 671) prohibit most exotic mammals including ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys, and sugar gliders statewide. El Cajon enforces these state restrictions and additionally regulates animals through ECMC Title 6 and the zoning code Chapter 17.205.
El Cajon Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCA Code of Regulations Title 14, §671 (Restricted Species)
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) . Animal Care (Detrimental Species) $652.25 Issued to any resident who has demonstrated the experience and ability to house animals designated as a detrimenta...
Wildlife Feeding
El Cajon addresses wildlife feeding through its nuisance provisions and San Diego County regulations. Feeding wildlife such as coyotes is prohibited under California Fish and Game Code Section 251.1. The city's Code Compliance division enforces property conditions that attract nuisance wildlife.
El Cajon Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
El Cajon addresses animal hoarding through keeping limits in El Cajon Municipal Code Title 6 and through San Diego County Animal Services, which is contracted to investigate welfare complaints; criminal cruelty is prosecuted under California Penal Code 597.
animals/animal-hoarding
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Cajon city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Diego County →