Animal Ordinances in Milpitas, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Milpitas, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Milpitas does not allow farm fowl to be kept freely on residential lots. Buildings or enclosures holding animals or fowl (other than household pets) are barred within 200 feet of any residential, mixed-use, or commercial property, which effectively confines poultry keeping to the agricultural zone. Caged birds kept indoors are limited to 20 under the animal-number rules.
Milpitas Chickens and Backyard Fowl
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Milpitas requires all dogs to be physically restrained on a leash whenever they are off their owner's property. The Municipal Code does not specify a leash length. Off-leash dogs are allowed only in designated off-leash areas, such as the City's dog park at Ed Levin Park. Field enforcement is handled by San Jose Animal Care and Services.
Milpitas Dog Leash Rules
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Milpitas does not ban any dog breed. Its animal code regulates individual dogs by behavior, classifying dogs as 'potentially dangerous' on a five-level scale and as a 'dangerous animal' requiring a permit. California state law also bars cities from declaring a dog dangerous based solely on breed.
Milpitas Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Milpitas has no municipal beekeeping ordinance, so the city sets no hive limit or beekeeping permit. Beekeepers are governed by California state law, which requires registering each apiary annually with the Santa Clara County Agricultural Commissioner. General nuisance rules still apply if bees disturb neighbors.
Milpitas Beekeeping Rules
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Milpitas requires a dangerous animal permit to keep any animal that, by its size or disposition, would endanger humans. California state law independently bars keeping most wild and exotic species as pets - including many large cats, primates, and venomous or restricted reptiles - without a state restricted species permit, which is not issued for personal pet ownership.
Milpitas Exotic and Wild Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Milpitas does not publish a specific ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife or feral animals. Feeding that draws nuisance animals, odors, or pests can be addressed by Milpitas Code Enforcement under general nuisance rules, and California restricts feeding of certain big-game wildlife. There is no dedicated city wildlife-feeding citation.
Milpitas Wildlife Feeding Rules
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Milpitas confines livestock keeping to its agricultural zone, where buildings or enclosures holding animals or fowl (other than household pets) must sit at least 200 feet from any residential, mixed-use, commercial, school, or care property. Stables and riding academies are agricultural-zone uses, and keeping three or more horses for hire or boarding is a regulated 'horse establishment.'
Milpitas Livestock and Horse Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Milpitas does not publish a dedicated hoarding ordinance, but its four-pet household limit and humane-treatment rules constrain animal accumulation. California's animal cruelty statute, Penal Code 597, is the primary tool against hoarding, making it a crime to deprive animals of necessary food, water, or shelter or to subject them to neglect.
Milpitas Animal Hoarding and Cruelty
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Milpitas limits households to a combined total of four dogs and/or cats over four months old, with no more than one unspayed female. Caged indoor birds are capped at 20 and small caged animals at 10. Authorized adoption-organization volunteers may keep up to seven dogs and/or cats. A permit can be sought for animals otherwise above the limit.
Milpitas Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Milpitas requires cats over four months old to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies, the same as dogs, with licensing administered by San Jose Animal Care and Services. Cats count toward the four-pet household limit. The code defines and addresses both owned cats and feral cats but does not impose a cat leash requirement.
Milpitas Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Milpitas city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Santa Clara County →