Animal Ordinances in Norwalk, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Norwalk, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Norwalk allows backyard chickens, ducks, turkeys and similar fowl only on residential-horse-property (R-H) zoned lots of at least 9,000 square feet, capped at one animal unit, five birds excluding roosters, per 3,000 square feet of lot area under Municipal Code Section 17.04.200. Roosters and bees are banned citywide on any residential property, in every zone, with no exceptions for the R-H zone.
Norwalk Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 17.04.200(D)(1)-(2), (E)(1) (Animal regulations in the R-H zone; prohibited animals)
Animal Regulations in the R-H Zone. 1. The following regulations apply to the keeping and maintenance of animals for all properties located in the R-H zone: a. A minimum lot size of 9,000 square feet is required for the keeping and maintenance of any animal listed in subsection (D)(2) of this section; b. In addition to animals permitted pursuant to subsection C of this section, a maximum of one...
Dog Leash Laws
A Norwalk dog off its owner's property must be on a strong leash no longer than six feet, held continuously by a competent person, or confined in an enclosed vehicle. Law enforcement dogs are exempt; anyone who captures a loose dog must notify the Executive Director within 24 hours.
Norwalk Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 6.12.010 (Running at large prohibited)
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely restrained by a strong leash not exceeding six feet in length, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, c...
Breed Restrictions
Norwalk classifies any dog with a disposition to attack or bite without provocation as a "wild or vicious animal" under Municipal Code § 6.28.010. SEAACA's Executive Director orders the owner to keep the dog in a substantial enclosure or on a secure chain, and can seize and destroy it if the owner does not comply.
Norwalk Dangerous Dog Declaration and Rules
Significant RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 6.28.010(B)
Any dog having a disposition or propensity to attack or bite any person or animal without provocation is defined as a "wild or vicious animal." The Executive Director shall notify the owner or harborer of such dog in writing to keep such animal within a substantial enclosure or securely attached to a chain or under any other type of control which is reasonably adequate under the circumstances. ...
Exotic Pets
Keeping a lion, tiger, bear, wolf, monkey, or other wild or dangerous animal on your Norwalk property requires an Executive Director permit under Chapter 6.28. Letting one of these animals, or a legally vicious dog, run at large is separately prohibited and can lead to impoundment.
Norwalk Wild and Exotic Animal Permit
Significant RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 6.28.010(A) (Running at large - wild or vicious animals); § 6.28.030 (Permit for wild or vicious animal)
No person owning or having charge, custody or possession of any animal or reptile known by such person to be vicious or dangerous, or commonly so known, or owning or having charge, custody, controller possession of any elephant, bear, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, tiger, leopard, wolf, monkey, ape, chimpanzee, bobcat, lynx, wildcat, puma, cheetah, or any animal commonly referred to as "wild a...
Pet Limits
Norwalk caps dogs and cats at a combined three per residential dwelling under Municipal Code Section 17.04.200, with offspring under four months not counted against the limit. Households wanting up to five dogs or cats need an animal permit from the Community Development Director under Section 17.02.140, and every animal must be kept for personal use only, never for commercial breeding or sale.
Norwalk Dog and Cat Limits Per Home
Some RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 17.04.200(B), (C)(1)(c) (Animals on residential properties)
The following animals are allowed on any property zoned for or developed with a residential use, regardless of lot size, without restriction to the number of animals, unless otherwise noted in this section: ... c. A combination of three dogs or cats, and their offspring not exceeding four months of age, for each residential dwelling unit; a maximum of five dogs or cats may be allowed subject to...
Cat Rules
Norwalk does not require pet cats to be licensed; owners may get an optional identification license. But keeping a cat mainly for breeding is barred outside industrially zoned property, and anyone breeding cats for profit needs a City breeding permit from the Executive Director.
Norwalk Cat Licensing and Breeding Permit
Some RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 6.16.120 (Optional identification license for cats); § 6.12.190-.200 (Breeding of cats or dogs; breeding permit)
In order to provide a method for identifying cats, a license may be obtained in accordance with the licensing procedure set forth in Article I. This article shall not require the licensing of cats, but merely provide for their optional licensing. ... No person shall keep or maintain or permit to be kept or maintained, upon any premises owned or controlled by him or her, any cat or dog kept main...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Norwalk has no citywide mandate requiring residents to spay or neuter their own pets. The ordinance instead binds the Executive Director: the City can't sell or give away an unaltered cat over six months old, and a younger unaltered cat requires a sterilization deposit held in trust.
Norwalk Shelter Cat Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 6.08.070 (Spaying or altering required)
The Executive Director shall not sell or give away any female cat more than six months of age that has not been spayed, or any male cat more than six months of age that has not been altered. The Executive Director shall not sell or give away any cat less than six months of age unless the cost of spaying or altering such cat has been deposited in trust with the Executive Director for payment to ...
Pet Groomer Rules
Opening a pet grooming shop or kennel in Norwalk requires administrative Director approval, not a by-right business license. The city's zoning Land Use Matrix classifies 'Animal Care (Kennel/Grooming)' as a Director-approval use in five commercial and industrial zones, and bars it outright in two others.
Norwalk Pet Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 17.02.203(C)(1)(e)-(f); Table 17-A Land Use Matrix, § 17.11.010 (Animal Care (Kennel/Grooming))
C. Types of Approvals. The Director may administratively approve the following: 1. Land uses: ... e. Animal clinics or hospitals, pursuant to the standards contained in Section 17.04.175; f. Animal care; ... [Table 17-A Land Use Matrix] Animal Care (Kennel/Grooming) D D D — — D D § 17.01.060; § 17.02.203
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Norwalk requires Director approval, not a full conditional use permit, before an animal clinic or hospital can open in any zone under Municipal Code Section 17.04.175. Once approved, boarding is allowed only for surgical recovery or medical treatment, disturbing noise and odors must be controlled with sound-proofing, and animals must be housed inside a building rather than outdoor runs or kennels.
Norwalk Animal Clinic and Hospital Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsNorwalk, CA, Municipal Code § 17.04.175 (Animal clinic or hospital)
Animal clinics or hospitals are subject to Director approval pursuant to Sections 17.02.203 and 17.04.010 provided that the following conditions are met: A. Boarding for other than surgical recovery or medical treatment is prohibited, B. Disturbing noises are prohibited and adequate sound-proofing shall be provided together with other conditions to control odors, method of disposal of dead anim...
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