Animal Ordinances in National City, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In National City, up to six hen chickens are allowed on any property zoned for single-family residential use. Lots of seven thousand square feet or more earn one hen per one thousand square feet, capped at twelve hens. Roosters are banned outright, and horses, cows and other large stock need a parcel of at least twenty thousand square feet.
National City Backyard Chicken and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.32.015
1.Only horses, cows, goats, sheep, burros, mules, jackasses, llamas or alpacas may be kept, possessed or maintained, either alone or in combination with each other, not to exceed a total of five combined, on a parcel of land with a minimum area of at least twenty thousand square feet.2.Any combination of the following classes of animals, not to exceed a total of twenty, with each class limited ...
Dog Leash Laws
National City makes it unlawful for a dog owner or handler to allow a dog to run at large within the city limits. Under § 8.04.015, at large means untethered, unleashed or outside a fence or enclosure capable of containment, and a leash cannot exceed six feet in length. A dog confined within a motor vehicle is not at large.
National City Dog Leash Law: No Running at Large
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.16.020
A.It is unlawful for an owner or handler of a dog to allow that dog to run at large within the city limits. A dog is not at large if confined within a motor vehicle.B.It is unlawful for an owner or handler of any dog required by this title to be licensed to suffer, allow or permit such dog to be within the city limits without the license tag issued for that dog, or without a collar or harness a...
Breed Restrictions
The National City Municipal Code names no dog breed. Section 8.16.070 instead targets a dog by its conduct: one that has bitten or menaced a person or animal can be declared potentially dangerous or vicious. Maintaining an adjudicated dog in the city is a misdemeanor, and the owner of a dog adjudicated vicious is barred from owning another dog for three years.
National City Dangerous Dog Rules: Conduct, Not Breed
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.16.070
A.This section supplements the definitions, procedures and penalties governing dangerous and vicious dogs contained in Food and Agricultural Code sections 31601 through 31683 and Penal Code Section 399.5. The animal control officer is authorized to initiate proceedings under those sections to declare a dog to be potentially dangerous or vicious. ... B.It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any pe...
Beekeeping
National City bans beekeeping except where Chapter 8.34 allows it. Hives are limited to lots of at least ten thousand square feet in the open space and institutional zones, on agricultural or research properties, with up to four hives per parcel. A ordinary residential lot cannot keep bees.
National City Beekeeping Rules and Hive Setbacks
Heavy RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.34.020
A.The keeping of bees shall not be allowed within the city, except as provided in this chapter. It is unlawful to keep or maintain any bees or hive of or for bees within the territorial limits of the city, except as allowed in this chapter.B.Beehives may be kept only on lots with a minimum area of ten thousand square feet within the open space and institutional zones subject to the following:1....
Exotic Pets
National City bans keeping venomous reptiles, large lizards and snakes, ferrets, skunks, big cats, primates, pigs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, canine hybrids and roosters. Section 8.32.010 makes it unlawful to keep them anywhere within the city limits. Violations are a public nuisance punishable as a misdemeanor, with permits available only for educational, conservation, religious or preservation purposes.
National City Exotic Pet Ban: Prohibited Animals List
Heavy RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.32.010
A.Except as provided in Section 8.32.015 and in order to protect the public health and welfare and prevent the spread of exotic Newcastle disease, avian flu and West Nile virus, it is unlawful to keep, possess or maintain anywhere within the city limits the following animals, birds or reptiles. Prohibited animals shall include, without limitation, the following:1.Any venomous snake, lizard or r...
Pet Limits
National City caps a single-family parcel under two acres at three dogs and three cats, all over four months of age. Parcels over two acres can keep six dogs and three cats. Units in a mobile home park, apartment or condominium complex are limited to two dogs or two cats, or a combination not to exceed two.
National City Limits on Dogs and Cats per Home
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.32.015
5.A maximum of three dogs and three cats, all over the age of four months, may be kept on any parcel of property less than two acres in size, occupied by a single-family residential dwelling, and on parcels of property greater than two acres in size occupoed by a single-family residence, a maximum of six dogs and three cats all over the age of four months may be kept; provided however, that the...
Cat Rules
National City exempts cats from its run-at-large ban, but an owner must control cats so they do not create a public nuisance. Cats at large can be trapped with a nonlethal, humane trap and turned over to a shelter or animal control officer within twenty-four hours. Cats can only be fed inside a residence or an enclosure on the owner's property.
National City Cat Rules: At Large and Feeding
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.32.020
J.Except for cats, no animals shall be allowed to run at large. Notwithstanding, a cat owner shall control his or her cat or cats so as to avoid the creation of a public nuisance. Cats at large may be trapped using a nonlethal, humane trap and shall be turned over to an animal shelter or an animal control officer within twenty-four hours. The city shall not be responsible for trapping or transp...
Microchipping
National City requires microchipping only for a biting dog. Under § 8.16.130, a biting dog not processed as potentially dangerous must be microchipped with an identifying tag at the owner's expense, and the owner must carry liability insurance of at least one hundred thousand dollars combined single limit. Proof is due within fourteen calendar days after notification.
National City Microchipping Rules: Required for Biting Dogs
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.16.130
A.Any biting dog that is not processed under Section 8.16.070 shall be microchipped with an identifying tag at the owner's expense. The owner shall also be required to maintain comprehensive liability insurance in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand dollars combined single limit, as a condition of keeping the animal within the city limits, except when removal is required pursuant to Sectio...
Pet Store Rules
National City bans pet shops and retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats or rabbits. The only routes are adoption of animals owned by a shelter or rescue with no fee or ownership interest to the store, and sales direct from the premises where animals are born and reared or through a breeder, excluding pet shops.
National City Retail Pet Sale Ban for Dogs, Cats, Rabbits
Heavy RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.38.030
A.A pet shop or retail pet store or its operator shall not sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction or otherwise dispose of a cat, dog, or rabbit except as provided in subsection B.B.The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to:1.A publicly operated animal shelter or animal control enforcement agency, animal rescue organization or nonprofit humane society;2.A pet shop or retail pet s...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary hospital or clinic in National City needs a conditional use permit under § 18.30.250 of the Land Use Code. It must sit at least one hundred feet from any residential zone, restaurant, hotel or motel, control noise and odor, keep out carcass and refuse incineration, and cannot operate as a kennel.
National City Veterinary Hospital and Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.250
A.Restriction on Types of Animals Served. Veterinary clinics shall be limited to serving only those kinds of small, domesticated animals or household pets commonly maintained in residence with man.B.Conditional Use Permit Required. Veterinary hospitals or clinics shall be subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit. In addition to complying with the provisions of a conditional use permi...
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