Animal Ordinances in Lancaster, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Lancaster, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lancaster's zoning code bars backyard poultry, including chickens, from the R, MDR and HDR residential zones, where the animal-keeping table caps 'Other Small Animal (Including Poultry)' at zero per parcel. Poultry and other small livestock are allowed only in SRR and RR zones, capped at 3 birds within an 8-animal total. Roosters require a full acre and Rural Residential zoning under Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180.
Lancaster Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(B)-(C) (Animal Keeping)
B.Keeping of Large Animals in Residential zones.1.Applicability. The keeping of large animals, such as horses, cows, and similar animals are permitted in Rural Residential zones and the number of animals shall not exceed a total of 8 animals per lot, unless otherwise indicated.2.Pigs are permitted as follows:a.Pigs shall be permitted on Rural Residential zones with lots or parcels of land great...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs in Lancaster's parks and public places must stay on a leash or chain no longer than six feet and under the owner's full control. Dogs cannot graze or run loose except in a posted dog park or training area, and handlers must carry equipment to remove all waste before leaving.
Lancaster Park Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 12.04.330(C)
Except as provided in subsection B., a person may bring and maintain in a park or public place a dog, if such dog is kept on a leash or chain with a length not to exceed six feet and is under full control of its owner or custodian, or upon written authorization of the city manager when required to authorized park or public place programs. With the exception of dog parks or dog exercise and/or t...
Breed Restrictions
Lancaster singles out Pit Bulls and Rottweilers as 'restricted dogs' and requires every unaltered one to be spayed or neutered or licensed under a strict unaltered-dog permit, with impoundment and fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail for repeat violations under Municipal Code Chapter 6.08.
Lancaster Pit Bull and Rottweiler Spay Law
Heavy RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.08.020 (Mandatory spaying, neutering of restricted dogs); Sec. 6.08.070 (Penalties)
A. The following breeds of dogs are "restricted dogs," and are subject to the mandatory spay, neutering, and unaltered dog license requirements of this chapter: 1.Pit Bulls, as defined in Section 6.08.010; and 2.Rottweilers, as defined in Section 6.08.010. B. No person may own, keep, or harbor a restricted dog in violation of this section. ... The penalties for violations of any provision of th...
Beekeeping
Lancaster allows backyard beekeeping only on single-family residential lots larger than one acre, under the standards in Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(C)(2). Hives are capped at 2 per property, limited to the common domestic honey bee, and must sit in the rear or side yard at least 5 feet from property lines, screened or elevated so bees clear a barrier before leaving.
Lancaster Backyard Beekeeping Standards
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(C)(2) (Bee Keeping)
2.Bee Keeping is permitted as follows:a.They shall be located in a single-family residential property in a residential zone that is greater than one acre.b.Only the common domestic honey bee, Apis Mellifera species, at any stage of its development, shall be permitted.c.No more than 2 hives may be maintained on any single-family residential property.d.All bee colonies shall be kept in hives capa...
Exotic Pets
Lancaster's zoning code bans keeping 21 named wild species as pets outright, from armadillos and foxes to raccoons, zebras and wallabies, under Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(D). The same subsection folds in every animal the state restricts under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671, so any species on the state's restricted list is also barred within city limits.
Lancaster Prohibited Wild Animal Pets
Heavy RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(D) (Keeping of Wild Animals)
D.Keeping of Wild Animals.1.Antelopes, armadillos, badgers, beavers, camels, deer, foxes, giraffes, hippopotami, kangaroos, koalas, minks, ostriches, otters, peacocks, platypus, porcupines, prairie dogs, raccoons, seals, wallabies, and zebras and other similar animals are prohibited.2.Animals prohibited by the State of California shall not be allowed to be kept within the City (California Code ...
Pet Limits
Lancaster's zoning code caps household pets by zone: the animal-keeping table in Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180 allows up to 3 dogs and 3 cats per parcel in every residential zone, folded into an overall animal cap of 5 in the R, MDR and HDR zones and 8 in the SRR and RR zones.
Lancaster Household Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180(C) (Keeping of Small Animals)
1.The keeping of small animals, such as sheeps, goats, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, aquatic animals, birds and similar animals are permitted as indicated on the table below. Zone Aquatic Animals, Birds, Rabbits, Reptiles, & Rodents Dogs Cats Other Small Animal (Including Poultry) Total Number of Animals per Parcel or Lot R, MDR and HDR zones 3 3 3 0 5 SRR and RR zones 3 3 3 3 8
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lancaster requires every pit bull and Rottweiler kept in the city, classified as a "restricted dog," to be spayed or neutered under Municipal Code Section 6.08.020, unless the owner proves a narrow exception such as age, a vet-certified health risk, or a paid unaltered-dog license. Violations start as a $250 infraction and can escalate to a misdemeanor.
Lancaster Restricted-Breed Spay/Neuter Law
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.08.020 (Mandatory spaying, neutering of restricted dogs)
A.The following breeds of dogs are "restricted dogs," and are subject to the mandatory spay, neutering, and unaltered dog license requirements of this chapter:1.Pit Bulls, as defined in Section 6.08.010; and2.Rottweilers, as defined in Section 6.08.010.B.No person may own, keep, or harbor a restricted dog in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered restricted dog must ha...
Microchipping
Unlike unincorporated Los Angeles County, Lancaster has opted its dog owners out of the county's microchip mandate: Municipal Code Section 6.04.030 expressly declares the county ordinance's 'Microchipping of dogs required' provision inapplicable inside city limits, alongside the county's mandatory spay and neuter program for dogs.
Lancaster Does Not Require Dog Microchipping
Few RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.030 (Inapplicability of provisions of the animal control ordinance)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.04.010 of this chapter, the following provisions of the county animal control ordinance are inapplicable in the City of Lancaster: Section 10.20.185 ("Microchipping of dogs required"); and Part 4 of Chapter 10.20 (commencing with Section 10.20.350) ("Mandatory spay and neuter program for dogs").
Pet Groomer Rules
Lancaster prohibits pet grooming as a home occupation citywide, with one narrow exception. Municipal Code Section 17.08.200(C)(11) allows home-based pet grooming only in the RR-1 and RR-2.5 rural residential zones, and only when clients are seen strictly by appointment, never as a walk-in or retail storefront operation.
Lancaster Home Pet Grooming Rules
Significant RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.200(C)(11) (Home Occupations - Prohibited Uses)
C.Prohibited Uses. The following uses shall not be allowed as a home occupation:...11.Pet grooming (not prohibited in RR-1 and RR-2.5 zones, if on appointment basis only);
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A small-animal veterinary clinic is allowed by right in Lancaster's C and CPD commercial zones as part of the 'Services - Commercial' use category, but it is not permitted at all in the Office Professional (OP) zone. Boarding kennels and public animal shelters are barred from every commercial zone.
Lancaster Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLancaster, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 17.12.040 (Permitted uses—C zones); Sec. 17.04.240 (Definitions – "Veterinary clinic, small animal")
"Veterinary clinic, small animal" means any facility providing medical or surgical treatment, clipping, bathing and similar services to dogs, cats and other small animals, but excluding boarding or the keeping of animals on the premises other than those requiring emergency treatment or those recovering from anesthetic. ... Services - Commercial: This category includes but is not limited to answ...
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