Animal Ordinances in Hawthorne, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Hawthorne, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Under Hawthorne Municipal Code Chapter 6.24, no person may keep crowing roosters, more than ten domestic fowl, or more than five rabbits on residential, church, or educational property. Fowl and birds other than dogs, cats, canaries, or up to four Psittacinae birds must sit at least 35 feet from any habitable dwelling unless specially permitted.
Hawthorne Chickens & Backyard Fowl (No Roosters, Max 10 Fowl, 35-Foot Setback)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
The City of Hawthorne's Municipal Code (Title 6, Animals at Large) bars animals from running at large in public streets, parks, and other public places or on unenclosed premises unless restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet and in the control of a competent person. Hawthorne runs its own Animal Control.
Hawthorne Dog Leash Law (6-Foot Leash Required, Animals at Large Prohibited)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Hawthorne does not ban any dog breed. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 forbids cities from declaring a dog dangerous or vicious based on breed and requires that no dog-control program be breed-specific. Hawthorne instead regulates individual animals through its vicious-animal and impounding provisions in Title 6 of the Hawthorne Municipal Code.
Hawthorne Dog Breed Restrictions (No Breed Ban; State Preemption Under Cal. Food & Agric. Code §31683)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Hawthorne Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 prohibits keeping any hive or swarm of bees within two hundred feet of any residence, hospital, public eating place, school, church, office building, store, home, apartment house, rooming house, or other place of habitation. Narrow exceptions exist for educational and medical/research uses where bees are not allowed to fly at large.
Hawthorne Beekeeping (Hives Must Be 200 Feet From Any Place of Habitation)
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
Hawthorne Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 bars keeping any animal other than household pets (dog, cat, canary, parrot, or similar) except by special city permit. California's restricted-species rules (14 CCR §671, Fish & Game Code) separately ban private possession of many exotic mammals, reptiles, and birds without a state permit not issued for pet keeping.
Hawthorne Exotic & Wild Animals (Special Permit Required; State Restricted-Species Ban Under 14 CCR §671)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
The Hawthorne Municipal Code reviewed does not contain a stand-alone ordinance banning the feeding of wild animals. Feeding that attracts pests, strays, or wildlife and creates unsanitary or harmful conditions can be addressed under the city's Animal Nuisances provisions in Title 6. California state law separately discourages feeding big game and certain wildlife.
Hawthorne Wildlife Feeding (No Specific City Ban; Animal-Nuisance Rules Apply)
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Hawthorne Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 bars keeping any animal, fowl, or bird (other than dogs, cats, canaries, or up to four Psittacinae birds) within 35 feet of any habitable dwelling except by special permit, and caps residential property at no crowing roosters, ten fowl, and five rabbits. The dense city leaves little room for livestock.
Hawthorne Livestock Keeping (35-Foot Setback, Special Permit, No Crowing Roosters)
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Hawthorne does not use the word 'hoarding,' but its kennel/cat-facility thresholds (four or more dogs or cats), the 35-foot animal setback, and the Animal Nuisances and Impounding provisions in Title 6 together limit how many animals can be kept and allow abatement of overcrowded, unsanitary keeping. Overcrowding that harms animals is prosecutable statewide under California Penal Code §597 and §597.1.
Hawthorne Animal Hoarding (Numeric Limits + Impoundment; State Cruelty Law Under Penal Code §597/§597.1)
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Hawthorne Municipal Code defines a 'kennel' as any premises where four or more dogs are kept for any purpose, and similarly defines a cat facility as a place keeping four or more cats over four months of age. Keeping at or above those thresholds requires registration/permitting; dogs duly licensed or excepted are not counted toward a registered kennel's number.
Hawthorne Pet Limits (Four or More Dogs = Kennel; Four or More Cats = Cat Facility)
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Hawthorne's mandatory licensing applies to dogs only; the city does not require a license for individual house cats. However, keeping four or more cats over four months of age is defined as a cat facility under the Hawthorne Municipal Code and is subject to registration. Cats are recognized household pets exempt from the 35-foot animal setback.
Hawthorne Cat Rules (No City Cat License Required; Four-or-More Cats = Cat Facility)
Few RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hawthorne city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Los Angeles County →