Animal Ordinances in Hesperia, CA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Hesperia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Hesperia bans cattle, hogs and general small livestock on Single-Family Residence (R1) lots, allowing them back only via an educational animal permit or on parcels of five acres or more. Horses are an accessory use on lots over 20,000 sq. ft. at one per 10,000 sq. ft. (maximum six); a lot of 19,000 sq. ft. or larger may keep ONE horse, and that is the case needing written approval from every adjoining owner.
Hesperia Livestock Rules for Residential Lots
Significant RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 16.20.680, Table 16.20.680(C)
Table 16.20.680(C) — Animal allowances in the Single-Family Residence (R1) designation. Small Livestock: NP; Any size; Educational Animal Permit Only; Not permitted unless authorized by an educational animal project or prior to residential use on five acres or more. Hogs and large pigs: NP; 0. Cattle: NP; 0.
Dog Leash Laws
Hesperia bars any animal from running at large in public and requires dogs taken off their own property to be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet.
Hesperia Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 6.08.020(A), (C)
A.No person owning or having control of any animal shall permit such animal to stray or run at large upon any public street, sidewalk, school ground, public park, playground, place of public assembly, or any other public place... C.Any person may lawfully take their dog off their property if they restrain it on a substantial leash, not over six feet in length and controlled by a person competen...
Breed Restrictions
Hesperia has no breed-specific dog ban -- instead it declares individual dogs 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' after a hearing based on documented bites or aggressive incidents, not breed.
Hesperia Dangerous Dog Declaration Process
Significant RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 1.12.130(B)(14)(a)-(b)
Potentially dangerous animals and vicious animals are hereby declared a public nuisance. b.Declaration of Potentially Dangerous Or Vicious. When an enforcement officer has probable cause, or if there are two sworn statements from witnesses, that an animal is potentially dangerous or vicious, they may set a hearing to determine if the animal should be declared a public nuisance. The enfor...
Beekeeping
Apiaries are banned citywide in Hesperia; only agriculturally zoned, owner-occupied parcels may keep up to three hives, set back 300 feet from streets, schools, parks and neighboring homes.
Hesperia Beekeeping and Apiary Rules
Significant RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 6.12.080(A), (B)(2)
Apiaries shall not be permitted within the city.B.Exceptions.1.A single hive may be allowed when required by a prescription from a licensed medical doctor and used for the treatment of certain diseases.2.Three or fewer hives may be maintained on agriculturally zoned and owner occupied land when the hives are placed at least three hundred (300) from any street, road or highway, any public school...
Exotic Pets
Hesperia allows exotic animals only in single-family or agricultural zones with a special use permit good for 36 months, capped at two animals per property unless a zoo or menagerie CUP is approved.
Hesperia Exotic Animal Keeping Permit
Significant RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 16.12.365(A), (C)(3)
The keeping of exotic animals shall be permitted in a single-family residential or agricultural designation subject to the requirements of this section. ... No more than two exotic animals over the age of six months may be kept as an accessory use to a single-family residence, unless a conditional use permit for a menagerie or zoo has been approved;
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Dogs impounded by Hesperia animal control face mandatory spaying or neutering: unlicensed dogs on the first violation, licensed dogs on the second, all at the owner's expense under Municipal Code § 6.08.020(D).
Hesperia Impound Spay-Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsHesperia Municipal Code § 6.08.020(D)(1)
If the dog is properly licensed, the first offense shall allow the dog to be returned to the owner without being spayed or neutered The animal shall be microchipped by the animal control department (or designee) prior to return to the owner, at the owner's expense. The second violation shall require the dog to be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.2.If the dog is not properly licensed, u...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hesperia city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Bernardino County →