Animal Ordinances in Livermore, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Livermore, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Livermore Municipal Code § 6.04.020 makes it unlawful to keep any fowl or livestock, including backyard chickens, without first obtaining an animal fancier permit from the city. FFA and 4-H programs can get a blanket permit through an adult supervisor. Owners must also keep animals from running loose and provide sanitary shelter, food and water daily.
Livermore Backyard Chickens, Fowl and Livestock Permit
Significant RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code §§ 6.04.020, 6.04.040
§ 6.04.020. Fowl and livestock – Permit required. A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any fowl or livestock without first obtaining an animal fancier permit. B. Upon application, a blanket permit may be issued to a bona fide animal husbandry program sponsored by the Future Farmers of America or 4-H clubs. The application shall be made by and the permit issued only to an adult supervisor in...
Dog Leash Laws
Livermore bars dogs from running loose in public or on someone else's property under LMC § 6.12.140. A dog off its owner's land must be on a substantial leash no longer than six feet and under the control of a capable handler, with an exception for city-approved fenced dog parks.
Livermore Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Law
Some RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code § 6.12.140(A)-(B)
§ 6.12.140. Running at large prohibited. A. No owner of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be or run at large upon any public place or any private property other than that of such owner except with the prior consent of the person in charge of such private property, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and is under the charge and c...
Breed Restrictions
State law, not city ordinance, controls breed-specific dog rules in Livermore. Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 bars any city or county program from singling out a dog breed as dangerous or vicious. Health & Safety Code § 122331 lets a city adopt a breed-specific ordinance only for mandatory spay/neuter or breeding rules, never for a dangerous-dog designation.
California Dog Breed-Specific Ordinance Limits
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code § 31683
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as prov...
Exotic Pets
State, not city, law controls exotic pets in Livermore. Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations § 671(a) makes it unlawful to import, transport or possess any restricted wild animal without a Department of Fish and Wildlife permit, and lets Livermore itself add its own local ban or permit on top of the state list.
California Restricted Wild Animal Possession Permit
Significant RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 671(a)-(b)
(a) It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess live animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the department. ... Cities and counties may also prohibit possession or require a permit for these and other species not requiring a state permit. (b) The commission has determined the below listed animals are not normally domesticated in this state. Mammals li...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding ducks, geese or any wildlife is banned at all times in the Springtown Open Space area under LMC § 12.75.030(B)(10). The definition of "wildlife" there reaches deer, coyotes, raccoons and skunks, not just waterfowl.
Livermore Ban on Feeding Wildlife at Springtown
Some RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code §§ 12.75.020(E), 12.75.030(B)(10)
The following activities shall not be permitted to occur at any time within the Springtown Open Space area: ... 10. Feeding of ducks, geese or wildlife; ... "Wildlife" refers but is not limited to ducks, geese, rabbits, raccoons, fish, fowl, skunks, deer, squirrels, coyotes, foxes, possums or any wild animal not commonly considered a domesticated pet.
Pet Limits
Livermore caps how many pets a household can keep without a permit: LMC § 6.20.030(A) requires an animal fancier permit before anyone owns six or more household pets, or more than three dogs over 12 weeks old, or any exotic animal at all.
Livermore Household Pet and Dog Number Limit
Some RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code § 6.20.030(A), (E)
§ 6.20.030. Animal fancier permit – Requirements. A. No person shall own or keep any exotic animal or six or more household pets, provided the number of dogs does not exceed three, over 12 weeks of age without first applying to and receiving from the Administrative Services Director an animal fancier permit. ... E. ... An animal fancier permit shall be applied for by an owner of household pets ...
Pet Store Rules
Any pet shop in Livermore needs a permit from the animal control director before it can open, under LMC § 6.16.010. The director weighs sanitation, animal housing and zoning compliance before granting one, and can deny a permit if the shop's odor, noise, dust or drainage would create a nuisance.
Livermore Pet Shop Operating Permit
Significant RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code §§ 6.16.010, 6.16.030(A)
§ 6.16.010. Permit – Required when. It is unlawful for any person to erect, establish or maintain any pet shop without first obtaining a permit from the animal control director. ... § 6.16.030. Permit – Issuance conditions. A. The granting of the permit required by LMC § 6.16.010 shall be in the discretion of the director, who shall take into consideration the type of construction to be employe...
Bird Protection
On Livermore Municipal Airport property, no one may hunt, trap, catch, injure or kill any bird or animal without the airport manager's authorization. The rule protects wildlife on airport land and is enforced under the airport's own rules chapter, not a citywide ordinance.
Livermore Airport Bird and Wildlife Protection
Heavy RestrictionsLivermore Municipal Code § 11.08.130(N)
N. No person, except those authorized by the airport manager, shall intentionally hunt, pursue, trap, catch, injure, or kill any bird or animal on the airport.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Livermore city rules.
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