Animal Ordinances in Madera, CA (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Madera, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Madera Municipal Code Section 5-1.31 caps livestock, a list that explicitly includes chickens, ducks and rabbits along with horses, pigs, cows, sheep and goats, at three animals per location outside agricultural or industrial-zoned land.
Madera Backyard Livestock and Chicken Limit
Some RestrictionsMadera Municipal Code § 5-1.31
§ 5-1.31 LIVESTOCK. ... (A) Livestock kept within areas of the city limits must be kept according to the following. This would include, but not be limited to horses, mules, burros, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits: (1) No more than three may be kept at any one location, or as determined by other applicable city ordinance or the Planning Commission. (2) Animals must be co...
Dog Leash Laws
Madera Municipal Code Section 5-1.28 bars dogs from running loose on any public street, park or unenclosed private property unless held on a leash or cord, staked, or restrained in a vehicle, with seizure and impoundment for violators.
Madera Dogs-at-Large Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsMadera Municipal Code § 5-1.28
§ 5-1.28 DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE; LEASH REQUIREMENTS. No person owning any dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog shall offer, allow, or permit such dog to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private unenclosed property within the city, and all dogs may be deemed running at large within the mea...
Breed Restrictions
Madera doesn't ban breeds by name. Section 5-1.23 lets the Police Department declare any dog vicious or potentially dangerous based on its bite and attack history, then hold an administrative hearing before ordering confinement, muzzling, removal from the city, or destruction.
Madera Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadera Municipal Code § 5-1.23
§ 5-1.23 VICIOUS ANIMALS; POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS; ABATEMENT; HEARING PROCEDURE. ... (A) Vicious dog defined. Any dog, except one assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which demonstrates any of the following behavior, is presumed vicious: (1) Any dog which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts a physical injury to a human being that results in musc...
Exotic Pets
Madera Municipal Code Section 5-1.32 allows exotic pets like snakes, turtles, monkeys and chinchillas but requires escape-proof housing, and makes the owner pay Animal Control's capture fees and any fines if the animal gets loose.
Madera Exotic Pet Containment Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadera Municipal Code § 5-1.32
§ 5-1.32 EXOTIC PETS, WILDLIFE RESCUE PROGRAMS. ... Exotic pets include, but are not limited to, snakes, turtles, monkeys, chinchilla and other unusual animals, or animals being cared for as a result of wildlife rescue programs. ... (A) ... Animals considered to be exotic pets or wildlife must be contained in such a structure or housed in such a manner as to prevent their escape. Owners of exot...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Madera Municipal Code Section 5-1.32 requires anyone operating a wildlife rescue program in the city to file their state and federal permits with the Abatement and Compliance Division, and can require a local keeping permit for the animals too.
Madera Wildlife Rescue Permit Filing Rule
Significant RestrictionsMadera Municipal Code § 5-1.32
§ 5-1.32 EXOTIC PETS, WILDLIFE RESCUE PROGRAMS. ... Any persons operating a wildlife rescue program within the city limits must file copies of applicable permits from state and federal agencies with the Abatement and Compliance Division. ... (B) Any exotic pets or wildlife maintained by those persons which require special permits from state or federal agencies will be required to file those p...
Looking for Madera County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madera city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Madera County →