Animal Ordinances in Moorpark, CA (2026)
11 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 backyard chickens, ducks and game hens on lots of 6,000+ square feet at one bird per 2,000 square feet; roosters need a 20,000 square-foot lot and are barred from R-1 through R-3, and peacocks are prohibited entirely.
Moorpark Backyard Chicken Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 17.28.030(B), Table 17.28.030 (Item 5 — Fowl)
5. Fowl (peacocks and pea hens are not permitted) a. Chickens, duck, and game hens 6,000 sq. ft. 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. O-S, A-E, R-A, R-E, R-L, R-1, R-2, R-3 b. Roosters and guinea fowl 20,000 sq. ft. 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. O-S, A-E, R-A, R-E
Dog Leash Laws
Moorpark requires every dog to be on a continuously held leash whenever off the owner's own property, on public or private land alike, except in designated dog parks.
Moorpark Dog Leash Law Requirement
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 6.08.050(A)
It is unlawful for any person that owns, harbors, or keeps any dog to tolerate, permit, or allow the dog to be unleashed, unless the dog is secured in a vehicle, or physically restrained in another humane manner of control. A leash shall be held continuously in the hand of a responsible person capable of controlling the dog. This leash requirement applies whenever the dog is on public or privat...
Breed 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
Few 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
Moorpark permits backyard beekeeping on one-acre-plus lots in six zones, with hives set back 150 feet from streets, 50 feet from property lines, and 400 feet from dense residential areas under the zoning code's animal-keeping standards.
Moorpark Beekeeping Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 17.28.030(A)(4)(d)
No apiary shall be located or maintained within 50 feet of any property line common to other property except that it may be adjoining the property line when such other property contains an apiary, or upon mutual agreement for such location with the adjoining property owner. e. Water. Available, adequate and suitable water supply shall be maintained on the property near the apiaries at all ti...
Exotic 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
Some 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...
Pet Limits
Table 17.28.030 caps single-family households on lots under 5 acres to any combination of 4 dogs and cats, rises to 6 on lots over 5 acres, and limits multi-family units to any combination of 2. Section 17.28.030(A) exempts disability service animals like seeing-eye dogs entirely, and litters born on site may stay until weaned at four months before counting against the cap.
Moorpark Cat and Dog Household Limits
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 17.28.030(A), (B), Table 17.28.030 (Item 3 — Domesticated Cats and Dogs)
A. General Provisions. ... These regulations do not apply to animals used to provide a service to individuals with a disability, such as seeing-eye dogs and miniature horses. All animal keeping must be in compliance with Title 6 of the Moorpark Municipal Code. ... Table 17.28.030 ANIMAL KEEPING ... 3. Domesticated cats and dogs1 a. Single-family dwellings <5 acres Any combination of 4 O-S, A-E,...
Cat Rules
Moorpark requires every cat over four months old kept in the city 30 or more days to carry a current license and tag or microchip, with unlicensed cats subject to seizure, impoundment, or citation.
Moorpark Cat Licensing Requirement
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 6.16.010
Every person who resides within the city and who owns, harbors, or keeps any dog or cat over the age of four months within the city for 30 days or longer shall obtain a current license and license tag issued as required by this title for each dog or cat. B. The license tag obtained shall be attached to a substantial collar or harness that shall be worn by the dog or cat at all times, except ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Moorpark requires mandatory spay or neuter, at the owner's expense, for any dog formally determined potentially dangerous or vicious, before the city releases it back to its owner.
Moorpark Dangerous Dog Spay/Neuter Rule
Significant RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 6.32.090(B)
The dog shall be spayed or neutered at the expense of the owner before the release of the dog to its owner. If the dog was not impounded, the dog owner shall provide proof to the city that the dog has been spayed or neutered within 30 calendar days after the decision or court order declaring the dog to be potentially dangerous is served on the dog owner. C. The owner shall post one or more s...
Microchipping
Moorpark lets microchipped cats skip the collar-and-tag requirement, but the cat still needs a current license and must meet every other requirement of the city's animal licensing code.
Moorpark Cat Microchip Exemption
Light RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 6.16.010(C)
Cats with electronic identification in the form of microchip implants or other forms of permanent identification approved and issued by the city or its agent, are not required to wear a collar and tag. All other licensing requirements of this title apply to such cat. D. Any dog found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license may be seized and impounded by an anim...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Moorpark lets veterinary offices and animal hospitals into most commercial and agricultural zones, but the permit tier climbs fast once the clinic boards animals overnight.
Moorpark Veterinary Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 17.28.030, Table 17.28.030 (Item 11); Table 17.20.060(C)(4)(a)-(c)
11. Veterinary facilities, including, but not limited to, hospitals for large and small animals and surgical offices (see Tables 17.20.050(A)(2) and 17.20.060(C)(4)(a) and (b) for additional limitations) n/a By administrative permit or conditional use permit O-S, A-E, R-A, C-O, C-1, C-P-D, C-2, C-OT, M-1, M-2 12. Wild animals 1 acre By conditional use permit O-S, A-E, R-E Notes: A You...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
An animal rescue or shelter facility needs an administrative permit for 8 or fewer animals, or a conditional use permit for 9 or more, and only in Moorpark's C-P-D/C-2, M-1 and M-2 zones.
Moorpark Animal Rescue Zoning Permit
Significant RestrictionsMoorpark Municipal Code § 17.20.060 (Table 17.20.060, Item 5)
Zones: C-O | C-1 | C-P-D/C-2 | C-OT | M-1 | M-2 | I | I-F ... 5. Animal rescue or animal shelter a. 8 or fewer animals — — AP3 — AP3 AP3 — — b. 9 or more animals — — CUP — CUP CUP — — [3: If within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property a conditional use permit is required.]
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Moorpark city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Ventura County →