Animal Ordinances in Lake Elsinore, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Lake Elsinore, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Lake Elsinore, Municipal Code § 6.08.020 presumes keeping more than three cats or dogs, or more than two rabbits, chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks or turkeys combined, to be a prohibited commercial operation within the district described in § 6.08.010. Roosters and male waterfowl are also banned overnight under § 6.08.030.
Backyard Poultry and Livestock Limits, Lake Elsinore
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code §§ 6.08.020, 6.08.030
It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to keep or raise cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks or turkeys for commercial purposes within that certain portion of the City described in LEMC § 6.08.010. Cats or dogs in quantities greater than three, or rabbits, chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks or turkeys in aggregate quantities greater than two shall be conclusively presu...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Lake Elsinore, LEMC 6.04.160(H) makes it unlawful for any dog owner, licensed or not, to let a dog roam, stray or run at large anywhere in the City. Chapter 6.04 defines at large as being off the owner's premises without a leash sized to the dog or another physical restraint device; voice, eye or signal control never counts.
Lake Elsinore Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.04.160
"At large" means any dog which is off the premises of its owner, custodian or caretaker and which is not under physical restraint by a leash of a size and material appropriate to the size and temperament of the dog and which is held by a person capable of restraining such dog, or is not otherwise physically restrained by some other device or instrumentality, except that such device or instrumen...
Breed Restrictions
Lake Elsinore has no breed-specific ban; instead, LEMC 6.04.250 lets the Sheriff's Department or an Animal Control Officer declare any individual dog vicious or unsafe after investigation and a hearing. A declared dog must stay confined or, off its own property, be muzzled, leashed and controlled by an adult, and the City can order it destroyed, registered or permanently removed.
Lake Elsinore Vicious and Unsafe Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 6.04.250
A. Vicious or Unsafe Dogs. ... A person owning or having charge of a vicious or unsafe dog shall confine it within a building or secure enclosure except that it may be permitted off the premises only when securely muzzled, leashed, and under the control of a person 18 years of age or older and who is physically capable of restraining said animal. ... Any animal found to be vicious, unsafe or no...
Beekeeping
In the City of Lake Elsinore, Municipal Code § 6.13.020 caps a residential property at two bee colonies with no more than two supers each, requires a 50-foot setback from neighboring property, an on-site water supply, and registration with the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner. A conditional use permit can authorize an exception under § 6.13.030.
Backyard Beekeeping Rules in Lake Elsinore
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code §§ 6.13.020, 6.13.030
Not more than two bee colonies or beehives, with no more than two supers or honey-collecting cells per colony, shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met: A. A hive or colony shall maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from any neighboring property; and ... ... D. All hives or colonies are to be registered with the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner. ... Exceptions to...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Lake Elsinore, keeping any exotic animal that requires a California Department of Fish and Game welfare permit, game breeder's license, scientific collector's permit, or letter permit is unlawful under Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 6.04.260, with one carve-out for potbelly pigs. Animals owned before the ordinance took effect may stay under a signed agreement with the Animal Control Agency.
Exotic Animal Ban in Lake Elsinore
Heavy RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code §§ 6.04.260, 6.04.270, 6.04.280
It is hereby unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to have, keep or harbor or possess any exotic animal, the possession of which requires a California Department of Fish and Game welfare permit, game breeder's license, scientific collector's permit, or a letter permit, within the City, except for potbelly pigs. ... Any exotic animal harbored, owned or possessed prior to the passing of th...
Cat Rules
In the City of Lake Elsinore, it is unlawful under Municipal Code § 6.06.020(C) to own, harbor or keep an unaltered cat four months or older, and the city has no separate cat license requirement, only a dog license under § 6.04.030. The Animal Control Agency may run trap-and-release or spay-and-neuter programs to manage feral cat colonies.
Feral and Unaltered Cat Rules, Lake Elsinore
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 6.06.020(C)
C. Control of Unaltered Cats. In accordance with subsection (A) of this section, it is unlawful for any person to own, harbor or keep any unaltered cat four months of age or older within the City of Lake Elsinore. The City or Animal Control Agency may take steps to mitigate the impact of feral cat populations in compliance with this law which may include spay and neuter services and/or trap and...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Lake Elsinore, Municipal Code § 6.06.020(A) makes it unlawful to own, keep or harbor an unaltered dog or cat over four months old unless the owner sterilizes it, provides a sterility certificate, or obtains an unaltered exempt or hobby breeder license. Ordinance No. 1411 added the citywide mandate in 2019.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law in Lake Elsinore
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 6.06.020(A)
Requirement. No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered dog or cat over the age of four months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility, or obtain an unaltered exempt license or obtain a hobby breeder license in accordance with this chapter. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat m...
Microchipping
In the City of Lake Elsinore, every dog and cat over four months old must be implanted with an identifying microchip under Municipal Code § 6.06.030(A), and owners must keep the Animal Control Agency updated on the chip number, address and ownership changes. Dogs and cats over age 10 are exempt.
Mandatory Pet Microchipping in Lake Elsinore
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 6.06.030(A), (B)(4)
All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the Animal Control Agency and shall notify the Animal Control Agency of any change of ownership of the dog or cat, or any change of address or telephone number. ... ... 4. A dog or cat over the age of 10 years.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Lake Elsinore, a small animal veterinary clinic in the C-O Commercial Office District needs a conditional use permit and must treat only dogs, cats and other small domesticated animals in a fully enclosed, sound-controlled building with no outdoor runs and no boarding beyond patient recuperation.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Lake Elsinore
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.116.030(H)
§ 17.116.030. Uses subject to a conditional use permit. ... ... H. Small animal veterinary clinics subject to the following addition to all other conditions of the use permit: 1. Treatment of animals is restricted to dogs, cats and other small domesticated animals and birds. 2. The operation shall be conducted in a completely enclosed and sound-controlled building in such a way as to produce no...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lake Elsinore city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Riverside County →