Animal Ordinances in Murrieta, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Murrieta, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Murrieta permits backyard chickens in the RR, ER, and SF1 zoning districts under Development Code Table 16.44.040-1, scaling the flock size to lot area: four birds on lots from 7,200 square feet up to a half-acre, twelve birds up to one acre, and thirty birds above one acre. Roosters and commercial flocks are banned.
Backyard Chicken Rules in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)(1), Table 16.44.040-1 and § 16.44.040(E)(4)
4 7,200 sq. ft. to .49 Chickens RR, ER, SF1 acre 12 .5 to 1 acre 30 >1 acre ... 4. Chickens: a. Chickens shall be contained within an enclosure or coop with an enclosed runway and ...
Dog Leash Laws
Murrieta Development Code Section 16.44.040(E)(3) makes it a violation to let any animal run at large, defined as being off the owner's premises and unattended. City animal control officers and police capture loose animals and impound them, and owners bear the costs of retrieving anything other than a dog or cat.
Animals at Large Rules in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)(3)
3. Animals at Large: a. The animal control authority, peace officers, or persons employed for animal regulation purposes shall capture animals found at large within the city and shall handle the animals as impounded animals. Any owner or custodian of an animal found at large in the city shall be in violation of this section. An animal is at large whenever it is not on the premises of ...
Beekeeping
Murrieta allows apiaries only in the Rural Residential and Estate Residential zones, per Development Code Table 16.44.040-1, on lots of at least one-half acre. Hives must sit at least 400 feet from any street, school, park, property line, dwelling, or business, and beekeepers must provide an on-site water source for the bees.
Backyard Beekeeping Rules in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)(1), Table 16.44.040-1 and § 16.44.040(E)(1)(b)
Apiary (bees) RR, ER N/A One-half (1/2) acre ... b. Apiaries, for the noncommercial use of occupants of the premises only, shall have all boxes or hives housing bees placed at least four hundred (400) feet from any highway, roads, or streets, any public school, park, property boundary or from any structure used as a dwelling or as a place of business. A water...
Exotic Pets
Murrieta only allows exotic or wild animals as pets in the Rural Residential and Estate Residential zones, and only with a conditional use permit under Development Code Table 16.44.040-1. The minimum parcel size is one-half acre, and keeping such an animal anywhere else in the city, or without the permit, is not allowed.
Exotic and Wild Animal Permits in Murrieta
Significant RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)(1), Table 16.44.040-1
Exotic or wild RR, ER Subject to a CUP One-half (1/2) acre animals
Pet Limits
Murrieta caps household cats and dogs at four animals total per Municipal Code Section 16.44.040(E), Table 16.44.040-1, regardless of zoning district. The cap rises to eight animals total only on parcels of two acres or more. Kennels, catteries and commercial breeding operations exceeding these numbers need a conditional use permit and a minimum one-acre parcel.
Dog and Cat Limits in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)(1), Table 16.44.040-1
E. Animal Keeping Standards. 1. The following standards shall apply to all animal keeping uses, where allowed within the residential zoning districts: TABLE 16.44.010-1 ANIMAL KEEPING STANDARDS Cats or dogs All zones Four animals each None All zones Eight animals total Two acres
Cat Rules
Murrieta's Development Code caps cat ownership under Section 16.44.040(E): up to four cats or dogs per household in any zoning district, or up to eight combined animals on lots of two acres or more. Cats found off their owner's property and unattended are legally 'at large' and subject to capture and impoundment by the city's animal control authority.
Cat Ownership Limits in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040(E)
Cats or dogs All zones Four animals each None All zones Eight animals total Two acres ... c. Offspring born to an allowed animal kept on the site may be kept until the animals are weaned (cats and dogs - four months; large animals - six months; horses - twelve (12) months). ... 3. Animals at Large: a. The animal control authorit...
Pet Groomer Rules
Murrieta generally bans pet grooming and kennel operations from residential home occupations, but carves out a narrow exception. Section 16.60.050(L)(4) lists "Animal Hospitals, Kennels and grooming facilities" as prohibited, while footnote 1 to that subsection allows animal sitting or grooming conducted entirely indoors, subject to strict animal-count and customer limits.
Home Pet Grooming Rules in Murrieta
Significant RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.60.050, Footnote 1
Animal sitting or grooming facilities may be permitted when conducted entirely indoors; the total number of animals present at any given time shall not exceed that allowed in Section 16.44.040. Grooming services shall be limited to one customer on the premises at any one time, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday with no more than one customer within a 2-hour time period.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Murrieta permits veterinary clinics and animal hospitals by right in its commercial zones, but a clinic that adds overnight stays or an outdoor kennel needs a conditional use permit and must meet the city's kennel and cattery standards under Section 16.44.040.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.44.040.E.2 (Animal Keeping Standards - Kennels and Catteries)
2. A conditional use permit is required for the establishment of commercial and noncommercial dog kennels and catteries, dog training schools, small animal shelters, and dog and cat breeding establishments with outside runs subject to the requirements of the county health department and the following provisions: a. The minimum parcel size shall be one acre. b. Animal runs shall be an adequate s...
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