Animal Ordinances in Ontario, CA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Ontario, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Ontario allows poultry, fowl, and livestock only as residential animal keeping in the AR-2, RE-2, and AG zones (household pets aside), at a density of one poultry/fowl animal per 6,000 square feet of lot area. Crowing roosters, peacocks, and guinea fowl that disturb the neighborhood are unlawful, and unneutered male goats are prohibited.
Poultry 1 per 6,000 SF; no crowing roosters
Some RestrictionsOntario Development Code Sec. 5.03.410.C.1 (Residential Animal Keeping), subsections b(1)(c), Table 5.03-6, and b(6) (Crowing Fowl) (Rev. 02.17.2026)
(ii) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal, other than household pets, within 50 FT (70 FT for swine) of any structure, other than that of the owner, which is used for human habitation ... (iii) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any hobby, show or game bird, fowl, or rabbit, other than a household pet, within 30 FT of any structure ... (iv) No animal is to be stabled,...
Dog Leash Laws
Ontario requires every dog off its owner's own property to be held on a leash no longer than six feet, controlled by a competent person, whenever it is on a public street, sidewalk, alley, or any private property other than the owner's own. A dog running loose in violation is impounded by the Enforcing Officer and held until reclaimed, adopted, or disposed of.
Ontario Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code Sec. 6-1.213 (Leashes)
Sec. 6-1.213. Leashes. No person owning or harboring any dog within the City shall permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to be upon any public street, sidewalk, lane, alley, court, or any other public place or upon any private property or premises, other than those of the person owning or having control or custody of such dog, except when such dog is held under a leash six (6) feet or le...
Breed Restrictions
Ontario does not impose any breed-specific dog ban. California state law (Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683) prohibits any local dog-control program from being breed-specific, except that under Health and Safety Code Section 122331 a city may adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding rules only.
No breed bans; CA preempts breed-specific rules
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 31683 (Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 668, Sec. 1; eff. Jan. 1, 2006); see HSC Sec. 122331
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 ...
Pet Limits
Ontario permits the keeping of four or fewer household pets by right in every residential and mixed-use zone (and the AG and MHP zones) in conjunction with a dwelling. Beyond that, the maximum keeping density is one household pet for each 6,000 square feet of net lot area.
4 household pets by right; 1 per 6,000 SF density
Light RestrictionsOntario Development Code Sec. 5.03.410.C.1.a(1) and Table 5.03-6 (Maximum Animal Keeping Densities) (Rev. 02.17.2026)
(1) Residential Zones. Residential animal keeping is permitted by right within the AR-2 and RE-2 zoning districts in conjunction with a single-family dwelling. Furthermore, the keeping of 4 or fewer household pets is permitted by right within all residential and mixed-use zoning districts, and within the AG and MHP zoning districts, in conjunction with a single-family or multiple-family dwellin...
Cat Rules
Ontario Municipal Code Section 6-1.216 sets the redemption and disposal process for impounded cats. An owner can reclaim a cat by paying a redemption fee plus food and care costs set by City Council resolution, but an unclaimed cat can be offered for adoption after ten days' mailed notice, or three days if no owner is known, and a suffering animal may be humanely destroyed the same day with veterinary or humane officer approval.
Ontario Cat Impoundment Rules
Some RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code Sec. 6-1.216 (Impoundment of Cats)
Sec. 6-1.216. Impoundment of cats. (a) Release to owners: Fees. The owner, caretaker or custodian of a cat impounded may reclaim such cat upon the payment of a redemption fee and food and care costs in an amount as established by resolution of the City Council. These fees are to be paid to the Enforcing Officer. (b) Adoption; Disposal. Where the owner, caretaker or custodian of the ca...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Ontario's only mandatory spay-neuter rule targets pet pot-bellied pigs, not dogs or cats generally. Section 6-1.230 bans breeding pot-bellied pigs kept as pets and requires every one to be spayed or neutered, with veterinary certification of that status, plus health and vaccination records, before the city will license the animal. Males two or older must also have their tusks removed.
Ontario Pot-Bellied Pig Spay/Neuter Rule
Heavy RestrictionsOntario Municipal Code Sec. 6-1.230(f),(g),(h) (Keeping Pot Bellied Pigs)
Sec. 6-1.230. Keeping Pot Bellied Pigs. ... (f) The breeding of pot bellied pigs shall not be permitted. All pot bellied pigs must be spayed or neutered. (g) Prior to licensing of a pot bellied pig, veterinary certification shall be required stating 1) the pig is spayed or neutered; 2) the pig is in good health and has received all necessary vaccinations; and 3) the height and weight ...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ontario city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Bernardino County →