Animal Ordinances in Merced, CA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Merced caps residential livestock and poultry keeping at two animals per lot, bans hog pens and beekeeping outside educational use, and prohibits slaughtering animals except in zoned commercial or industrial areas, under Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.080.
Merced Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.080 (Livestock and Poultry)
C.Except for educational purposes conducted by a governmental agency, no person shall keep or maintain any hog pen or pigsty within the city... F.Except for educational purposes conducted by a governmental agency, no person shall keep or maintain within the city, any sued of bees... I.No person shall keep or maintain more than two (2) livestock or poultry on any residential lot within the city.
Dog Leash Laws
Merced dogs off their owner's property must be on a leash or lead no longer than eight feet. Letting a dog run at large is a violation of Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.070, and a loose dog that injures someone or another animal is a misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12.
Merced Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.070 (Dogs at Large)
No person shall permit or suffer a dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight (8) feet in length, except in the following situations:1.When the dog is assisting a peace officer... B.Dog at Large Causing Injury. Any owner of any dog which is run...
Breed Restrictions
Merced does not ban any dog breed by name. Instead, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.010(J) defines a "dangerous animal" strictly by behavior, size, and training, and a separate hearing process under Sec. 6.04.290 and Sec. 6.04.300 decides whether a specific dog earns the dangerous or vicious label and its restrictions.
Merced Dangerous and Vicious Dog Declaration
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.010(J)
J.Dangerous animal. "Dangerous animal" means any animal including a dog (except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties) which can be categorized in any one (1) or more of the following manners:1.Any animal which behaves in such a manner that the owner thereof knows or should know that the animal poses a threat to public safety.2.Any animal which because of its size, t...
Exotic Pets
Merced classifies large snakes, big cats, primates, and other non-domestic species as "wild animals" under Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.010(AC), and Sec. 6.04.270 makes it unlawful to keep one anywhere in the city without an appropriately zoned location and an annual permit from the animal control manager.
Merced Wild Animal Keeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.010(AC); Sec. 6.04.270(C)(1)
AC.Wild animal. "Wild animal" means any of the following:(1)Following members of the Class Reptilia:Order Ophidia (such as, but not limited to, racers, boas, water snakes and pythons) over eight (8) feet in length... (3)Following members of the Class Mammalia:Order Carnivora, expressly excepting the domestic dog (cannis familiaris) and the domestic cat (felis catus), but including, but not limi...
Pet Limits
Merced caps how many cats and dogs a single-family home can keep based on lot size, from five of each on parcels of 6,000 square feet or more down to one dog and one cat on lots under 3,000 square feet, while multifamily units are capped at one dog and one cat under Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.065.
Merced Maximum Dogs and Cats Per Home
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.065
A.Except as provided in subsection B of this section, the number of cats and dogs raised and kept in any single-family dwelling shall be limited to the maximum number allowed based on parcel size as set forth in the table of this section: 6,000 sq/ft. or greater - Any combination of dogs and cats not to exceed 5 each unless with a valid kennel or cattery permit. Less than 6,000 sq/ft. but more ...
Cat Rules
Merced treats a cat off its owner's property and not under physical restraint as 'at large,' a violation of Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.040. Merced does not license individual cats, but anyone keeping more than five cats over six months old needs an annual cattery permit under Sec. 6.04.270.
Merced Cat At-Large and Cattery Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.010.E and Sec. 6.04.270.C.3
E.At large. "At large" means an animal off the premises of its owner and either:1.Not under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner; or2.If a dog or a cat, not under physical restraint. ... A person shall be deemed to maintain or operate a cattery if the person keeps, harbors, or maintains more than five (5) cats over six (6) months of age.
Looking for Merced County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Merced city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Merced County →