Animal Ordinances in Mountain View, CA (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Mountain View bans keeping livestock in any R (residential) district and makes it unlawful to keep chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, or other fowl anywhere in the city except as Chapter 5, Article III allows, under City Code Sec. 5.38. Article III then caps most households at four animals total, bans roosters over four months old, and requires a permit for housing within ten feet of a property line.
Mountain View Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.38 (Keeping of Certain Animals and Fowl - Generally)
(a)No person shall keep any livestock in any R district.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any equine animal, any bovine animal, any sheep, hog or goat, any live hare, rabbit, chicken, duck, turkey, goose, pigeon or other fowl except as provided in this article.(c)Any person maintaining any such animal or fowl within the city shall keep the premises upon which such is ke...
Dog Leash Laws
Mountain View requires every dog owner to keep their dog on a leash no longer than six feet, or confined behind a fence of reasonable height, under City Code Sec. 5.50. Exceptions cover service animals, dogs in field or obedience trials, hunting or herding dogs, and dogs assisting a registered private patrol operator or peace officer. Posted off-leash areas allow up to two unleashed dogs per handler.
Mountain View Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.50 (Restraint of Dogs)
The owner of any dog shall keep and maintain such dog under their own physical restraint by use of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or shall keep such dog sufficiently confined behind a fence of reasonable height. This section shall not apply to the following: (a)Service animals while performing their duties;(b)Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;(c)Dogs ...
Breed Restrictions
California law bars Mountain View from banning or singling out any dog breed: Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 31683 lets cities run their own dangerous-dog program but forbids making it "specific as to breed." Mountain View's own dangerous-dog ordinance, Sec. 5.63 through 5.65, regulates individual dogs by documented behavior instead, regardless of breed.
Mountain View Dog Breed Restriction Law
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 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 as prov...
Beekeeping
Mountain View lets residents keep bees but fixes exact placement rules under City Code Sec. 5.46: a hive must sit at least 10 feet from a side or rear property line and at least 20 feet from any public road, and the beekeeper needs the landowner's written consent regardless of location. Moving an apiary into the city requires 5 days' written notice to the administrator.
Mountain View Beekeeping Location Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.46 (Location of Apiary)
No apiary shall be located: (a)At a distance less than ten (10) feet from the property line, in side and rear yards only, unless the owner or persons in possession of the adjacent property have given written permission to the location of such apiary at a closer distance;(b)On any lands without the written consent of the owner or person in possession thereof;(c)Closer than twenty (20) feet from ...
Exotic Pets
Mountain View prohibits ownership of wild and exotic animals consistent with California Fish and Game Code, limiting residents to common domestic pets and certain small reptiles.
Mountain View Exotic Pet Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife - Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR Section 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) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of a...
Wildlife Feeding
Shoreline at Mountain View Park is declared a wildlife sanctuary by City Code Sec. 38.18(i), and feeding any wild bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian or invertebrate there is banned outright at all times, alongside hunting, trapping, killing or capturing them.
Mountain View Shoreline Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMountain View, CA City Code Sec. 38.18(i) (Special provisions for Shoreline at Mountain View)
All of Shoreline at Mountain View Park is a sanctuary for wildlife. All feeding, hunting, trapping or killing, wounding, frightening or capturing at any time of any wild birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates is prohibited, except dangerous animals when it is necessary for public officials acting within the scope of their authorized duties. Fish are protected, except they may be ...
Pet Limits
Mountain View caps most households at four adult dogs and cats combined over four months old, and at only one unspayed female dog and one unspayed female cat, under City Code Sec. 5.51. A female is presumed unspayed unless the owner proves otherwise, and no more than one litter per year is allowed from animals on the property. Licensed vets, pet shops, and permitted kennels are exempt.
Mountain View Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.51 (Maximum Number of Dogs, Cats or Litters)
(a)No person shall keep or maintain more than a total of four (4) adult dogs and/or cats (any combination) over four (4) months of age, at any street address.(b)No person shall keep or maintain more than one (1) unspayed female dog or one (1) unspayed female cat, at any street address.(c)A female dog or cat shall be rebuttably presumed to be unspayed, unless the owner provides evidence of spayi...
Cat Rules
Unlike dogs, cats in Mountain View are never required to carry a city license: City Code Sec. 5.53(b) makes cat licensing purely voluntary, letting an owner register a cat if they choose. Cats remain subject to the same running-at-large and public-nuisance rules that apply to other animals, and a voluntarily licensed cat still gets a metal tag or microchip record.
Mountain View Cat Licensing Rules
Light RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.53 (License Required)
(a)No person shall maintain or board any dog four (4) months of age or older that has not been licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, except:(1)A license shall not be required for dogs owned or under the control of a nonresident of the city that is to be kept in the city for less than thirty (30) days in any twelve-month period.(2)A license shall not be required for dogs temporari...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Mountain View forces sterilization on any dog or cat impounded twice or more from the same owner over the animal's lifetime: City Code Sec. 5.37 requires the animal be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense before it can be redeemed from the shelter. Owners may choose their own veterinarian, though the impounding agency can require it handle transportation, and owners may request a hearing.
Mountain View Mandatory Spay/Neuter Rule
Heavy RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.37 (Mandatory Sterilization for Multiple Impounds)
Any unsterilized dog or cat impounded twice or more from the same owner within the lifetime of the animal shall be sterilized at the owner's expense prior to redemption. At the option of the owner, a private veterinarian may perform the required spaying or neutering. The impounding agency may require that transportation to a private veterinarian be performed by the impounding agency. The owner ...
Microchipping
Mountain View lets a microchip substitute for the metal license tag, but only for cats. Dogs must still wear the metal "DOG/CAT LICENSE" tag issued with every license, per City Code Sec. 5.56. Every dog four months or older must be licensed, and the administrator records the microchip or tag number on the license.
Mountain View Pet Microchipping Rules
Light RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.56 (Metal Tags and Passive Integrated Transponders)
With each dog or cat license, the administrator shall issue a metal tag bearing an identifying number and the words and letters "DOG/CAT LICENSE." Each dog shall wear the metal tag issued for it at all times except when being shown at a dog show, exhibition or event. In the event it is necessary to issue a duplicate tag, a fee, established by city council resolution or approved by the service p...
Pet Store Rules
Mountain View bans displaying, offering or selling any animal anywhere except a permitted pet shop or kennel, or a private residence, under City Code Sec. 5.84. Pet shops also cannot sell a cat or dog younger than eight weeks, must give buyers vaccination and health disclosures, and cannot give a dog or cat away as a contest prize under Sec. 5.81 and 5.82.
Mountain View Pet Store Sale Rules
Significant RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.84 (Location of Sale); Sec. 5.81 (Sale of Cats or Dogs)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to display for sale, offer for sale, exchange, barter or give away any animal except in the following places:(1)Pet shop, commercial kennel, private kennel, pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter, or horse establishment, which have a valid permit under Sec. 5.66; and(2)Private residence.(b)This prohibition shall not apply to:(1)Any animal re...
Pet Groomer Rules
Anyone who operates a pet grooming parlor in Mountain View needs an annual permit from the city's animal services administrator before opening, under City Code Sec. 5.66. Groomers must first secure any applicable zoning permit, then meet the housing, sanitation and animal-care conditions Sec. 5.68 imposes on every animal facility, subject to unannounced inspection.
Mountain View Pet Grooming Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 5.66 (Permit Required); Sec. 5.68 (Conditions Relating to Animal Facilities)
The applicant shall obtain any applicable zoning permit prior to requesting a permit under this article. No person shall conduct, operate or keep any pet shop, commercial kennel, private kennel, pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter or horse establishment without first obtaining an appropriate permit from the administrator. The annual permit fee for the above animal facilities s...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics fall under Mountain View's "animal service establishment" category. City Code Section 36.30.35 allows them in commercial and general industrial districts only with a conditional use permit, and requires them to control noise and odor and shelter animals out of public view.
Mountain View Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code § 36.30.35 (Animal Service Establishments); § 36.60.05 (Definitions - "A")
Animal service establishments, as defined in Section 36.60.05, shall be allowed in all commercial (CN, CS, CO, CRA) districts and the General Industrial (MM) district and shall require approval of a conditional use permit with consideration of the following: a.Noise and odor. Businesses caring for animals on-site shall limit noise and odor impacts to neighboring properties and businesses.b.Shel...
Bird Protection
New buildings in Mountain View must treat most of their glass exterior with bird-friendly markers under City Code Sec. 8.96.10, part of the Green Building Code's mandatory Appendix A5 measures. At least 90 percent of a building's lower elevation and 60 percent of its upper elevation must use etched glass, patterned film, screens or similar strategies that break up reflective surfaces birds can strike.
Mountain View Bird-Safe Glass Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 8.96.10 (Glazing and Visual Barrier Requirements), Green Building Code Div. 18, Appendix A5 Sec. A5.107.1
A5.107.1 Required elevation treatment. Building elevation treatment shall incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies. No less than 90 percent of a building elevation, measured from grade to a height of 40 feet (12 m) above grade, or from grade to the height of an adjacent mature tree canopy (whichever is greater), shall incorporate bird-friendly mitigation strategies. No less than 60 perce...
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