Animal Ordinances in Montebello, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Montebello, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Montebello permits noncommercial poultry and rabbits only in the R-A Residential Agricultural zone, and they must be confined at all times. The dense R-1 through R-4 residential zones do not list poultry as a permitted use.
Montebello Chickens and Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Montebello requires every dog off its owner's property to be restrained by a strong leash no longer than six feet, held continuously by a competent person, or confined in an enclosed vehicle. SEAACA enforces the rule citywide.
Montebello Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Montebello's municipal code contains no breed-specific ban. California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts cities from declaring any dog dangerous or vicious based solely on its breed, so no breed is outlawed in Montebello.
Montebello Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Montebello's municipal code has no beekeeping ordinance and does not define hives or apiaries. Beekeepers instead fall under California's statewide apiary law, which requires registering hives annually with the county agricultural commissioner.
Montebello Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Montebello requires a permit from the animal-control director before keeping any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal, and enumerated species like big cats, primates, bears, and poisonous reptiles may not be kept without one.
Montebello Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Montebello prohibits feeding wildfowl, pigeons, ducks, squirrels, feral cats, wild dogs, and unlicensed animals that are not personal pets on any public or private property, treating it as a nuisance with escalating fines.
Montebello Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsLivestock
Montebello prohibits cattle, horses, and similar livestock from running at large and bans their staking on public property. Horses require a minimum 10,000-square-foot lot, and slaughtering livestock within the city is prohibited.
Montebello Livestock and Horse Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Montebello has no ordinance using the word hoarding, but it limits homes to three household pets, treats four or more dogs or cats as a kennel requiring industrial zoning, and requires humane care, backed by state cruelty law.
Montebello Animal Hoarding Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Montebello's zoning code caps residential properties at up to three household pets plus their offspring under four months old. Keeping four or more dogs or cats crosses into kennel territory, which is limited to specific zones.
Montebello Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Montebello does not require cats to be licensed; licensing is optional. Four or more cats over four months old make a property a cat kennel, which is allowed only in industrial zones, and shelter cats must be spayed or neutered before release.
Montebello Cat Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Montebello city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Los Angeles County →