Animal Ordinances in Montebello, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Montebello, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Montebello, keeping chickens, other poultry, or rabbits at home is allowed only on R-A zoned property and only under a strict confinement rule. Section 17.68.020(C) of the Montebello Municipal Code permits poultry or rabbits for private, noncommercial use in the R-A zone, provided they are confined at all times within an enclosure.
Montebello Backyard Poultry And Rabbit Rules
Some RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code § 17.68.020(C)
C.R-A Zone. The following poultry and animals may be kept under the following conditions:1.Poultry or rabbits for private noncommercial uses; provided, that all such poultry and rabbits shall be confined at all times within an enclosure;2.The grazing of horses and bovine animals (excluding dairies); provided, that sites of four acres or less have no more than two horses or two bovine animals pe...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Montebello, a dog may not leave its owner's premises unless it is on a leash no longer than six feet held by a competent person, or confined in an enclosed vehicle, under Municipal Code Section 6.28.010, with a law-enforcement dog exception.
Montebello Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code § 6.28.010
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely confined by a strong leash of not exceeding six feet, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interest in, harboring or having charge, care, control, cu...
Breed Restrictions
Montebello does not single out dog breeds by name. Instead, Municipal Code Section 6.28.050 lets the animal control director declare any dog a wild or vicious animal once it has bitten a person or animal without provocation, and two or more documented bites make that finding automatic, triggering mandatory restraint, impoundment or destruction.
Montebello Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code § 6.28.050
B.1.Any dog having a disposition or propensity to attack or bite any person or animal without provocation is defined as a wild or vicious animal. The director shall notify the owner or harborer in writing to keep such animal within a substantial enclosure or securely attached to a chain or any other type of control which is reasonably adequate under the circumstances. If such restraint is impos...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Montebello, keeping a wild, exotic or vicious animal, including species Section 6.28.050 names like lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and poisonous reptiles, requires a permit from the director of animal care and control under Section 6.20.010 before the animal may even be kept on enclosed premises.
Montebello Wild and Vicious Animal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code §§ 6.20.010, 6.28.050
No person owning or having charge, custody, control or possession of any animal, reptile or serpent described in Section 6.28.050, shall allow such animal, reptile or serpent within the enclosed premises of such person unless and until he has first secured a permit to do so and complies with all terms and conditions of such permit ... A.No person owning or having charge, custody, control or pos...
Wildlife Feeding
Municipal Code Chapter 17.90 makes it a nuisance, and a criminal infraction, to feed wildfowl, pigeons, ducks, squirrels, feral cats, wild dogs or other unlicensed animals that are not personal pets anywhere in the City of Montebello, whether on a public street or on public or private property. Fines climb from fifty dollars for a first offense to two hundred fifty dollars for repeat violations.
Montebello Ban on Feeding Wildlife, Feral Animals
Heavy RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code §§ 17.90.030, 17.90.040
The large numbers of wildfowl, pigeons, ducks, squirrels, feral cats, wild dogs and unlicensed animals which are not personal pets of an owner in the city have, at present, become a nuisance, causing defacement, deterioration, litter, and damage to public and private property. ... It is a nuisance for any person to feed any wildfowl, pigeons, ducks, squirrels, feral cats, wild dogs and unlicens...
Cat Rules
In the City of Montebello, cat licensing is optional rather than mandatory under Section 6.16.020, but keeping cats mainly for breeding or running a cat kennel is restricted to industrially zoned property with an approved kennel under Sections 6.40.030 and 6.40.040.
Montebello Cat Licensing and Breeding Rules
Light RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code §§ 6.16.020, 6.40.030, 6.40.040
In order to provide a method for identifying cats, a license may be obtained as prescribed in Chapter 6.24 of this code. This section shall not require the licensing of cats, but merely provide for their optional licensing. ... No person shall keep or maintain or suffer or permit to be kept or maintained upon any premises owned or controlled by him or it, any ... cat, male or female, kept mainl...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Montebello, the city animal shelter cannot sell or give away any cat over six months old unless it has been spayed or neutered, and a younger cat may only go home if the buyer deposits the sterilization cost in trust, under Municipal Code Section 6.16.010.
Montebello Shelter Cat Spay/Neuter Requirement
Some RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code § 6.16.010
The animal shelter shall not sell or give away any female cat more than six months of age that has not been spayed, or any male cat of more than six months of age that has not been altered. The animal shelter shall not sell or give away any cat less than six moths of age unless the cost of spaying or altering such cat has been deposited in trust with the director for payment to a veterinarian o...
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Montebello, a pet shop or grooming business is listed in the Title 17 zoning use table as a use permitted by right only in the C-2, C-M, M-1 and M-2 zones, so it cannot open in any residential zone or in the C-R or C-1 zones. Municipal Code Section 6.08.170 defines "pet shop," and Section 17.59.050 bars grooming facilities from qualifying as a home-based business.
Montebello Pet Shop, Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code § 6.08.170; § 17.59.050(B); Title 17 Appendix A (Pet Shop/Grooming)
"Pet shop" means any place of business where dogs, under four months of age, or cats, monkeys, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other animal to be used as pets, are kept for sale. ... (7)Medical or dental clinic or hospital, animal hospital or grooming facilities; ... R-A R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 C-R C-1 C-2 C-M M-1 M-2 ... Pet Shop/Grooming R R R R
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Montebello's zoning code defines a "small animal hospital" as any establishment offering veterinary services, clipping, bathing, or boarding for dogs, cats, and other small pets, and Section 17.59.050 bars that use, along with grooming facilities, from ever qualifying as a home occupation inside a residential dwelling.
Montebello Small Animal Hospital Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMontebello Municipal Code §§ 17.08.345, 17.59.050
"Small animal hospital" means an establishment in which veterinary services, clipping, bathing, boarding and other services are rendered to dogs, cats and other small animals and household pets. ... B.Exclusions. The following uses are examples of those uses specifically prohibited as home occupations: ... (7)Medical or dental clinic or hospital, animal hospital or grooming facilities;
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