Animal Ordinances in Moorpark, CA (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Moorpark, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Moorpark allows chickens and livestock only in Rural (R-E) and Agricultural (A-E, O-S) zones under MMC Section 17.28.030. A 20,000 sq ft lot in R-E zone allows 2 equines, 20 chickens/ducks, 4 roosters, 10 small animals, and 6 sheep. Enclosures must be at least 15 feet from property lines. Standard residential zones do not permit livestock.
Moorpark Chicken and Livestock Keeping Standards
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Moorpark requires dogs to be on a leash when off the owner's property under MMC Section 6.08.050. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment under Section 6.08.040. Owners must also clean up after their dogs per Section 6.08.060. The city enforces leash laws through its Animal Compliance Division.
Moorpark Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Moorpark does not impose breed-specific dog restrictions. California law prohibits breed-specific legislation. However, all dogs must be licensed and dogs declared potentially dangerous or vicious face enhanced requirements regardless of breed.
Moorpark Dog Breed Restriction Policies
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683
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 this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except ...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is not specifically addressed in Moorpark's municipal code. General nuisance provisions and the animal limits in MMC §17.28.030 apply. Agricultural zones allow beekeeping more broadly.
animals/beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Moorpark regulates wild and exotic animals under MMC Chapter 6.24. Keeping wild animals requires a license from the city. The license application process includes confinement regulations and notice-of-escape requirements. California state law further restricts which exotic species may be kept as pets. Moorpark College's Teaching Zoo operates under separate institutional permits.
Moorpark Wild Animal 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
Moorpark's property maintenance code requires residents to prevent conditions that attract vectors and wildlife. Standing water that breeds mosquitoes is declared a public nuisance. Residents should secure trash to prevent wildlife encounters with coyotes, which are common in Moorpark's semi-rural areas bordering open space.
Moorpark Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Moorpark is known for its semi-rural character with equestrian properties. Livestock keeping is permitted in R-E, A-E, and O-S zones under MMC Section 17.28.030. Lot size determines animal counts. Animals exceeding table limits require 5+ acres and a Conditional Use Permit. Equines in Specific Plan zones are only allowed where designated.
Moorpark Livestock and Horse Keeping Standards
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Moorpark Municipal Code Title 6 caps the number of dogs and cats per household and prohibits keeping animals in conditions that endanger public health or animal welfare under Ventura County animal regulation standards.
Animal Hoarding Limits in Moorpark
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Moorpark Municipal Code Title 6 generally limits residential parcels to a small number of dogs and cats combined, with kennel permits required above the threshold and rural lots subject to different standards.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Moorpark follows Ventura County rules requiring rabies vaccination for cats and encouraging indoor housing or supervised outdoor access, particularly given coyote activity in foothill neighborhoods near Moorpark Country Club.
Cat Licensing and Outdoor Rules
Few RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Moorpark does not impose a citywide mandatory spay-neuter ordinance; Ventura County offers low-cost programs, and unaltered animals face higher license fees through Conejo Valley Animal Control.
Spay-Neuter Encouraged Not Mandated
Few RestrictionsMicrochipping
Ventura County requires microchipping for dogs and cats released from county shelters, and Moorpark residents are strongly encouraged to microchip pets to comply with state shelter law and aid recovery.
Microchipping Required at Shelter Release
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Moorpark borders Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency lands and Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority preserves where coyotes are common; residents must avoid feeding wildlife and secure pets, with hazing encouraged by California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Coyote Awareness Near Open Space
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code protect most native birds in Moorpark, including hawks and owls common in oak woodlands and the Tierra Rejada Valley near Underwood Family Farms.
Native Bird and Raptor Protection
Some RestrictionsLooking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Moorpark city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Ventura County →