Animal Ordinances in Modesto, CA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Modesto Municipal Code § 10-3.202 allows up to 12 domestic fowl (hens only - no roosters), plus 2 pygmy goats and 2 miniature potbellied pigs (no boars), per dwelling unit in residential zones. Coops, pens, or cages must be at least 40 feet from any neighboring window or door used for human habitation.
Up to 12 hens (no roosters); 40-ft setback from neighbors
Some RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 10-3.202 (Animals and Fowl)
A maximum of twelve (12) domestic fowl (hens only), rabbits, hares, or domestic animals customarily considered to be household pets per dwelling unit ... There shall be a minimum of forty (40) feet between the window or door of any building used for human habitation and pens, coops, cages or similar housings where animals and fowl, except household pets, are kept.
Dog Leash Laws
Modesto Code Section 5-4.203(a) bars dogs from any public street, alley, park, parkway or City property unless leashed and under complete control, with the leash no longer than 8 feet. Designated dog parks and dogs securely confined inside a car are the only exceptions written into the section.
Dogs Must Be Leashed, Max 8 Feet, in Public
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-4.203
(a)No dog shall be permitted in or upon any public street, alley, park, parkway, or other public place in the City or in or upon any property belonging to said City, unless said dog shall be on a leash and is under the complete control of the person owning or at the time in possession of said dog. Said leash in no event shall be of a length greater than eight (8) feet.(b)The prohibitions contai...
Breed Restrictions
Modesto has no breed-specific dog ban. California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 prohibits any city or county dangerous-dog program from being breed-specific, although local agencies may adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding requirements. Dangerous-dog and vicious-dog regulation in Modesto is enforced under Cal. Food & Agric. Code §§ 31601-31683 by Stanislaus Animal Services.
No breed bans; CA Food & Ag Code §31683 preempts BSL
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Food & 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 the provisions of this chapter ... no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed.
Exotic Pets
Exotic pet ownership in Modesto is primarily governed by California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) regulations, which are among the most restrictive in the nation. Most wild, venomous, and non-domesticated animals are prohibited without permits.
Modesto Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR Sec. 671)
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). ... Animal Care (Detrimental Species) $652.25 — Issued to any resident who has demonstrated the experience and ability to house animals designated as a detrimental species, and who legally p...
Wildlife Feeding
Modesto has no municipal ordinance specifically prohibiting the feeding of wild animals. California state law, chiefly Fish and Game Code §251.1, governs wildlife harassment, and feeding can constitute illegal harassment when it threatens animal health or safety.
Modesto Has No Local Wildlife-Feeding Ordinance
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Human-Wildlife Conflicts (Keep Me Wild) Toolkit
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources...
Pet Limits
Modesto's zoning ordinance limits a residential dwelling unit to two dogs (5+ months old) and three cats (3+ months old). Larger numbers, exotic animals, or kennels require a conditional use permit. All dogs four months or older must be licensed through Stanislaus Animal Services.
Maximum 2 dogs and 3 cats per dwelling unit
Significant RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 10-3.202 (Animals and Fowl), Title 10 Zoning Regulations
A maximum of two (2) dogs, five (5) months or older, per dwelling unit. A maximum of three (3) cats, three (3) months or older, per dwelling unit.
Cat Rules
Modesto does not require cat owners to license their cats, unlike dogs; licensing is voluntary and unlocks a spay/neuter voucher. Caretakers of barn cats or feral colonies, however, must register with the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services and meet trap-neuter-vaccinate conditions to avoid being treated as the animal's owner under the stray-animal law.
Modesto Cat Licensing Voluntary; Ferals Must Register
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-4.502(b) (Animal Ownership, Feral/Barn Cat Exemption); § 5-4.506(f) (Voluntary Cat Licensing); § 5-4.405(d) (Stray Animal Exemption)
Subsection (a) of this section shall not be interpreted to apply to a person caring for barn cats or a colony of feral cats if such person: (1) Registers with the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services as a caretaker for barn cats or feral cats; (2) Regularly feeds or arranges for the feeding of the cats, including on weekends and holidays; (3) Traps or makes a reasonable effort to tra...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Modesto does not force every dog or cat to be fixed, but Code Section 5-4.503(a) bars anyone from breeding a dog or cat within the City without an annual litter permit from Stanislaus County Animal Services. Unaltered dogs also carry a higher license fee under Section 5-4.506 to push owners toward spaying or neutering.
Litter Permit Required to Breed Dogs or Cats
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-4.503(a), (b), (d)(2)
(a)No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City of Modesto to breed without first obtaining a litter permit. The term litter permit means a written authorization, issued annually by the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services Director or his/her designee, giving its lawful holder permission to breed a dog or a cat.(b)Each litter permit shall be v...
Microchipping
Modesto does not require every dog or cat to be microchipped. But under Municipal Code § 5-4.503, anyone holding a litter permit to breed a dog or cat must have that animal microchipped (or use another identification method Stanislaus County Animal Services accepts) and registered with the county.
Modesto Litter Permit Microchip Mandate
Light RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-4.503
(a)No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City of Modesto to breed without first obtaining a litter permit. ... (7)Any litter permit holder shall have his/her dog or cat microchipped or have some other form of identification acceptable to the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services and shall register the dog or cat with the Stanislaus County Dep...
Pet Groomer Rules
Standalone pet grooming businesses fall under Modesto's Personal Services zoning category and are barred from the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones, permitted only in mixed-use, office, commercial and industrial districts. Pet stores may offer grooming as an accessory service under Section 10-2.161, but the code excludes exterior runs or other outdoor grooming activity.
Modesto Zones Pet Groomers as Personal Services
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 10-2.161 (Pet Store); § 10-2.179 (Services, Personal); Table 3.1-1, § 10-3.101
10-2.161 - Pet Store. A shop for the sale of small animals and other household pets which may include services such as grooming, but excludes exterior runs or other outdoor uses. 10-2.179 - Services, Personal. Services intended to meet personal needs of individuals. Examples of these establishments and personal services include but are not limited to: barber shops, beauty shops, body art studi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Modesto splits veterinary zoning by animal type. Large-animal veterinary hospitals are confined to the C-M, M-1 and M-2 industrial-commercial zones, while small-animal veterinary hospitals are permitted across nine commercial, office and industrial zones but barred from every residential district.
Modesto Zones Vet Hospitals by Animal Type
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 10-2.1100 (Veterinary Hospital, Large Animal); § 10-2.1101 (Veterinary Hospital, Small Animal); Table 3.1-1, § 10-3.101; Table 5.1-1, § 10-5.102
10-2.1100 - Veterinary Hospital, Large Animal. A business for the care and treatment of livestock and other commercial animals. 10-2.1101 - Veterinary Hospital, Small Animal. A business for the care and treatment of household pets.
Looking for Stanislaus County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Modesto city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Stanislaus County →