Animal Ordinances in Garden Grove, CA (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Garden Grove, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Garden Grove bans roosters and livestock like cattle, sheep, swine, and horses citywide under Municipal Code Section 6.04.020, but allows up to four fowl, rabbits, or birds per residential property if kept in a fully enclosed coop at least 25 feet from any dwelling or property line. Pot-bellied pigs are the only livestock exception, permitted separately.
Garden Grove Backyard Chickens and Livestock Limits
Significant RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.020(A)(3), (A)(6)(a)(iii)
Roosters and Livestock Animals Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain roosters and livestock animals, including, but not limited to, any bull, steer, cows, calves, cattle, sheep, swine, equine, and bovine, etc., within the corporate City limits, except for pot-bellied pigs subject to subsection B below. ... A maximum of four fowl, rabbits, birds, or household pets, or any...
Dog Leash Laws
Garden Grove requires every dog on private property to be restrained by a fence, wall, substantial chain, or leash no longer than six feet, or kept under a competent handler's control, under Municipal Code Section 6.04.080(A)(1). The same six-foot leash cap applies on public property unless the property owner permits otherwise.
Garden Grove Dog Restraint and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.080(A)(1)
No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any private property unless such dog be restrained thereon by a fence, wall, substantial chain, leash not exceeding six feet in length, other appropriate physical restraint, or is under the charge of a person ...
Breed Restrictions
Garden Grove does not regulate dogs by breed. Instead, Municipal Code Section 6.04.120(B) lets the Director declare an individual dog "vicious" or "potentially dangerous" after a bite, attack, or fighting-related conviction, and then impose conditions like $100,000 liability insurance, secure enclosures, and muzzling, or order the dog impounded or destroyed.
Garden Grove Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.120(B)(1)(a), (B)(1)(e)(i)
If the Director has cause to believe that a dog is a vicious dog or potentially dangerous dog within the meaning of Section 6.04.010, he or she may tentatively find and declare such dog a "vicious dog" or "potentially dangerous dog." ... The restrictions and conditions may include, but are not limited to: i. Obtaining and maintaining liability insurance in the amount of $100,000.00 against bodi...
Beekeeping
Garden Grove outright bans beehives citywide. Municipal Code Section 6.04.020(A)(4) states plainly that beehives are prohibited within the corporate city limits, with no residential-zone exception, permit path, or hive-count allowance carved out anywhere else in Chapter 6.04's animal-keeping rules. The Animal Care Services Director enforces the ban alongside the chapter's other keeping limits.
Garden Grove Bans Residential Beehives
Heavy RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.020(A)(4)
3. No person shall keep or maintain any animals that are detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare. ... 4. Beehives. Beehives shall be prohibited within the corporate City limits.
Exotic Pets
Garden Grove follows California CDFW regulations for exotic animals. Ferrets, hedgehogs, and most primates are illegal statewide.
Garden Grove Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671(c); CDFW 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) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of a...
Wildlife Feeding
Garden Grove restricts feeding of wildlife to prevent nuisance conditions under the Municipal Code and general nuisance provisions. Feeding coyotes and other predatory wildlife is prohibited. Residents must secure trash and pet food to avoid attracting wildlife. Orange County Animal Care provides wildlife assistance for Garden Grove residents.
Garden Grove Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife - Keep Me Wild
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Vision: To proactively address human-wildlife conflicts and improve wildlife incident responses; to support safe human-wildlife interactions; and to increase understanding, awareness and appreciation of wildlife in California. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, ...
Pet Limits
Garden Grove caps ordinary households at four dogs and four roaming cats, each four months of age or older, per property under Municipal Code Section 6.04.020(A)(6)(a). Owners wanting five or more dogs or cats, or a cattery housing five-plus cats, must obtain an annual animal permit from the Director.
Garden Grove Household Pet Limit: Four Dogs or Cats
Some RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.020(A)(6)(a)(i)-(ii), (A)(6)(b)
A maximum of four of the following or four of any combination of the following shall be permitted: i. A maximum of four dogs, four months of age or older, shall be permitted on any premises within the corporate City limits; ii. A maximum of four roaming cats, four months of age or older, shall be permitted on any premises within the corporate City limits; ... b. Five or more cats, kept at all t...
Cat Rules
Cat licensing is optional in Garden Grove unless a household keeps five or more cats, which triggers the animal permit requirement in Municipal Code Section 6.04.100(F). Section 6.04.160 separately authorizes trap-neuter-return for free-roaming "community cats," but trapping any cat still requires a permit from the Director.
Garden Grove Cat Licensing and Colony Rules
Some RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.110; Sec. 6.04.160(B)(1), (C)
The owner of any cat may, upon submission of proof of rabies vaccination, certified to by a licensed veterinarian, and upon payment of the fee established by resolution of the City Council, be issued a license certificate and tag. ... The obtaining of such a license shall be optional on the part of the owner, except as provided in Section 6.04.100(F). ... Trapping, subject to subsection (C) bel...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Garden Grove's only mandatory sterilization law targets pot-bellied pigs: Municipal Code Section 6.04.020(B)(5) requires every pot-bellied pig to be spayed or neutered by two months of age, with the owner keeping a licensed veterinarian's sterilization certificate on file. Breeding pot-bellied pigs is separately banned outright under the same subsection.
Garden Grove Pot-Bellied Pig Spay/Neuter Mandate
Heavy RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.020(B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(5)
1. Only two pot-bellied pigs may be kept on a residential lot; 2. The breeding of pot-bellied pigs is prohibited; ... 5. Pot-bellied pigs shall be spayed or neutered by two months of age. Any person owning or having custody of a pot-bellied pig shall maintain a certificate of sterilization signed by a licensed veterinarian;
Pet Store Rules
Garden Grove pet stores cannot sell dogs or cats from commercial breeders. Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.140 limits stores to animals sourced from public animal control facilities, licensed shelters, or nonprofit rescue and humane groups, cutting off the puppy-mill supply chain citywide.
Garden Grove Pet Store Puppy Mill Ban
Heavy RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.140 (Prohibition on Retail Sale of Dogs and Cats)
No pet store shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, or auction dogs or cats in the City of Garden Grove, except dogs and/or cats obtained from a public animal control facility or shelter or duly authorized nonprofit humane society or animal rescue organization. Cats obtained by donation from a local resident for no charge may also be displayed, sold, and/or offered for sale; prov...
Pet Groomer Rules
Garden Grove permits pet grooming shops as a business use, but Municipal Code Section 9.16.020.050(AX) attaches two hard conditions: no overnight boarding of pets, and every bathing, clipping or combing activity must happen entirely inside an enclosed building. A groomer that lets a dog sleep over after hours, or that sets up outdoor wash tubs in a lot, is operating outside its zoning clearance.
Garden Grove Pet Grooming Shop Rules
Light RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code § 9.16.020.050(AX) (Pet Grooming)
AX. Pet Grooming. Subject to the following conditions: 1. No overnight boarding of pets; 2. The use must be conducted entirely within an enclosed building.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary hospitals, small animal clinics and dog day cares in Garden Grove need a conditional use permit under Municipal Code Section 9.18.030.320, and the ordinance layers hard technical conditions on top of that approval: full soundproofing of every building housing animals, an eight-foot solid wall around any outdoor run, and an incinerator or animal-remains freezer sized to the practice's caseload.
Garden Grove Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsGarden Grove, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.18.030.320 (Small Animal Hospital/Veterinary/Dog Day Care)
Such uses shall be subject to the following conditions: A. Noise. All buildings and structures shall be completely soundproofed. B. Outdoor Exercise Areas. Outdoor exercise areas permitted only as authorized by the applicable conditional use permit. Where permitted, the perimeter of all run areas shall be completely surrounded by an eight foot solid wall. Animal runs are to be constructed in su...
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