Animal Ordinances in Indio, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Indio, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Keeping chickens and other fowl in Indio is governed by the City's zoning rules (its Unified Development Code), not by the animal-control ordinance. The City code adopted from Riverside County addresses dogs, cats, and dangerous animals but not poultry counts, so allowances depend on the property's zone.
Indio Chickens & Backyard Poultry
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Indio adopts Riverside County's animal-control code as its own ordinance (Chapter 92). Dogs may not run "at large" off the owner's property unless on a leash held by someone able to restrain the dog, or otherwise physically restrained. Voice, eye, or signal control does not satisfy the leash rule.
Indio Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Indio does not ban any dog breed. Its adopted animal-control code regulates "vicious" and dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed. California law (Food & Agricultural Code § 31683) prohibits cities from declaring a dog dangerous based solely on breed, though breed-based spay/neuter rules are permitted.
Indio Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Indio's adopted animal-control ordinance does not address beekeeping; hive placement is a zoning matter under the City's Unified Development Code. Statewide, California Food & Agricultural Code § 29040 requires every beekeeper to register their apiary annually with the county agricultural commissioner.
Indio Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Indio specifically prohibits possessing wild animals and dangerous reptiles within the city unless permitted by the City Council or licensed by the state Department of Fish and Game. Rattlesnakes are flatly banned. This is a City-added rule layered on top of the adopted county code.
Indio Exotic & Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Indio's adopted animal-control ordinance has no dedicated wildlife-feeding (e.g., coyote feeding) provision that we could verify. Feeding wild animals is, however, indirectly discouraged because Indio prohibits possessing wild animals, and California Fish and Game regulations restrict handling of wildlife.
Indio Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Keeping horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and similar livestock in Indio is a zoning question under the City's Unified Development Code, which sets which animals are allowed by zone. The adopted animal-control ordinance covers dogs, cats, and dangerous animals, not livestock counts.
Indio Livestock Keeping
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Indio has no separate animal-hoarding ordinance, but hoarding is effectively limited by the kennel/cattery license triggers (5+ dogs or 5+ cats) and addressed through neglect and cruelty provisions. Indio added a penalty for keeping animals without proper care, layered on California's cruelty laws.
Indio Animal Hoarding & Neglect
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Indio sets the kennel/cattery threshold lower than the county it borrows from. Anyone keeping five or more dogs needs a kennel license, and Indio amended the cattery definition so five or more cats requires a cattery license, versus the county's ten-cat threshold.
Indio Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Under the county code Indio adopted, cat licensing is optional, but unaltered cats four months or older may not be allowed outdoors, all cats over four months must be microchipped, and humane cat trapping requires a posted sign. Indio lowered the cattery threshold to five or more cats.
Indio Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Indio city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Riverside County →