Animal Ordinances in Ontario, CA (2026)
8 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
Heavy 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 dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except designated off-leash dog parks.
Ontario Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed 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
Few 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 ...
Beekeeping
Ontario allows beekeeping under the Development Code with hive-count and setback limits. Beekeepers must register annually with the San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner under CA F and A Code 29040.
Ontario Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Ontario defers to California state law on exotic pets. CA Fish and Game Code and Title 14 Section 671 ban most wild species including big cats, bears, ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders without a permit.
Ontario Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Ontario discourages wildlife feeding under its nuisance rules and CA F and G Code 251.1. Intentional feeding of coyotes, raccoons, and similar wildlife can be declared a public nuisance and attractants must be removed.
Ontario Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Ontario restricts livestock to agricultural and equine zones in the Development Code. Most livestock activity is in Ontario Ranch (New Model Colony). Standard residential zones prohibit cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.
Ontario Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPet 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
Some 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...
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 →