Animal Ordinances in Fremont, CA (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Fremont, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Fremont bans roosters and livestock on residential lots outright, and limits chickens to properties over 6,000 square feet. Smaller lots cannot keep chickens at all. The animal services manager enforces these caps under Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 6.10.
Fremont Chicken and Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.10.030 and Sec. 6.10.040
On real property zoned residential, a pet owner may not keep any roosters or livestock, except goats (caprine type) with an animal fancier permit pursuant to Chapter 6.40. ... On real property zoned residential with an area of more than 6,000 square feet, a pet owner may keep up to a maximum combined total of six female chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and doves, unless a permit is issued under Chap...
Dog Leash Laws
Fremont requires dogs in public places to be on a leash no longer than six feet under Municipal Code Section 6.50.040(b), with exceptions for service dogs, working dogs, and posted off-leash areas. The scout-cited Section 6.50.170 actually governs off-leash area conduct, not the leash length itself.
Fremont Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.50.040(b)
The dog owner or person with a right to control a dog must keep the dog under direct physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six feet in length when the dog is on any public street, public sidewalk, other public place, event on public property, or at any private place or property or common area of any planned development cluster, townhouse, or on any condominium project without the...
Breed Restrictions
Fremont does not restrict dogs by breed due to California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempting breed-specific legislation statewide.
Fremont Dog Breed Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683
Food and Agricultural Code - FAC DIVISION 14. REGULATION AND LICENSING OF DOGS [30501 - 31683] CHAPTER 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs [31601 - 31683] ARTICLE 5. Miscellaneous [31681 - 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 incorpo...
Beekeeping
Fremont does not require a city permit to keep bees, but Municipal Code Section 6.10.140 imposes detailed siting rules: hives must sit at least 5 feet from property lines, need a dispersal strategy such as an 8-foot flyway barrier, and require neighbor notice near multi-family lots.
Fremont Beekeeping and Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.10.140
The installation and maintenance of apiaries does not require a permit or registration with the city. All apiaries must be registered with Alameda County (Food and Agriculture Code Section 29040 et seq.) and all beekeeping equipment and beehives must be maintained in good condition with adequate space and management techniques to prevent overcrowding and swarming. ... In single-family dwelling ...
Exotic Pets
Fremont Municipal Code Section 6.50.010 declares it a public nuisance to keep any dangerous or exotic animal in the city that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, interferes with enjoyment of property, or creates a significant risk of injury.
Fremont Dangerous and Exotic Animal Ban
Significant RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.50.010
It shall be unlawful and shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to keep within the limits of the city any dangerous or exotic animal or combination of any animals that unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the neighborhood in which such animal or combination of animals is kept, or interferes with any person in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of li...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding ducks, geese or any other resident or migratory waterfowl in a Fremont city park is prohibited under Municipal Code Section 12.20.060(u), the same subsection that bars hunting, trapping or injuring park animals and birds. Only authorized city wildlife management programs are exempt.
Fremont Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 12.20.060(u)
(u) Hunt, frighten, chase, set snare for, catch, injure or destroy any animal or bird, or destroy, remove or disturb any of the young or eggs of same, or injure or maltreat any domestic or other animal, or feed or cause to be fed, or provide food for, any domestic, resident, or migratory waterfowl or other park resident animal. This subsection does not apply to authorized city wildlife manag...
Pet Limits
Fremont caps residential households at two dogs, four cats, or a combination not exceeding two dogs and three cats, without a permit. Owners wanting more can apply for an animal fancier's permit allowing up to four dogs or seven cats.
Fremont Household Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.10.010
On real property zoned residential, a pet owner may keep up to two dogs, four cats, or a combination of such animals not to exceed two dogs and three cats, unless a permit is obtained under Chapter 6.40. City of Fremont pet license(s) are issued on the basis that pet owners are aware of the city's animal limitations.
Cat Rules
Every cat four months or older living in Fremont must carry a city license under Municipal Code Section 6.20.030, on top of current rabies vaccination. Unlicensed cats are presumed stray and can be impounded by animal services.
Fremont Cat Licensing Requirements
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.20.030
It is unlawful for any person to own, maintain, or board any dog or cat four months or older that has not been licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, except that a license is not required for a dog or cat owned, maintained by or under the control of a nonresident of the city which is kept in the city for 30 or fewer days in any 12-month period. ... Any dog or cat that is not prope...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Fremont doesn't require spay or neuter city-wide, but a dog or cat impounded more than once while unaltered must be spayed or neutered before release under Municipal Code Section 6.30.050(d), unless it is exempt from licensing.
Fremont Mandatory Spay/Neuter on Repeat Impound
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.30.050(d)
Any dog or cat that is impounded more than one time and is unaltered shall be spayed or neutered prior to release from the animal shelter to the owner or person with a right to control the animal unless the dog or cat is not subject to the licensing requirement pursuant to Section 6.20.030.
Microchipping
Fremont requires a microchip for any dog formally designated potentially dangerous, within 20 days of that designation, at the owner's expense, under Municipal Code Section 6.60.340. Cats and other dogs may substitute a microchip for a metal license tag under Section 6.20.070(b).
Fremont Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.60.340
The owner or person with a right to control a dog that is subject to a potentially dangerous dog permit must, at his or her own expense, have a microchip inserted into the dog within 20 days of the designation as a potentially dangerous dog for identification purposes. The owner or person with a right to control the dog must provide the animal services manager with the identifying information l...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary services in Fremont need a zoning administrator permit under Municipal Code Sec. 18.190.590, which requires soundproofed, vented animal rooms so noise is inaudible at the property line, bans exterior boarding, and mandates a police-approved security alarm system.
Fremont Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 18.190.590
18.190.590 Veterinary services. (a) A zoning administrator permit shall be required to ensure that adequate measures and controls will be taken to prevent offensive noise and odor and to ensure the use is operated in such a manner as to be compatible with both existing and future land uses. (1) Structures shall be designed and maintained in a manner to prevent the development of unsanitary cond...
Bird Protection
Fremont requires developers to avoid disturbing nesting birds during the February 1 to August 31 nesting season, citing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state law making it unlawful to take birds, nests, or eggs. Preconstruction surveys and buffer zones apply if work can't be avoided.
Fremont Nesting Bird Protection Rules
Significant RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 18.218.050(b)(2)(A)
Nesting Birds. New development projects with the potential to impact nesting birds through tree or shrub removal shall implement the following measures prior to removal of any trees/shrubs, grading, or ground disturbing activities: (A) Avoidance. Proposed projects shall avoid construction activities during the bird nesting season (February 1st through August 31st).
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fremont city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →