Animal Ordinances in Orange, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Orange, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Orange allows up to six poultry on standard residential lots but bans roosters outright and prohibits poultry-hatching or egg-production farms citywide. Larger livestock like equine, bovine, sheep, goats and swine are reserved for R1-20-or-larger lots under a separate animal-count formula.
Orange Backyard Poultry and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 17.13.040(F)(3)(b), (F)(6) (Animal Keeping)
b. Poultry (roosters prohibited), rabbits, reptiles, rodents, and other small animals (less than five pounds), shall be limited to a total number of six... 6. The following types of animal keeping or raising shall not be permitted: a. Commercial dairies; b. Commercial kennels; c. Rabbit, fox, goat, and other animal-raising farms; d. Farms devoted to the hatching, raising, fattening, and/or butc...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs on any Orange public street, sidewalk, park or public place must stay on a secure leash no more than six feet long, held continuously by someone able to control the dog, under Municipal Code Section 12.48.056, with limited exceptions for service dogs, permitted dog shows and designated dog parks.
Orange Dog Leash Law for Public Places
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA Municipal Code § 12.48.056(B), (C) (Dogs Generally)
No person shall permit his or her dog(s) to be in or upon any public street, sidewalk, park or other public place unless such dog(s) is upon a secure leash not more than six feet long held continuously in the hands of a person capable of controlling the dog, or unless the dog is securely confined within an automobile; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to a person who is in...
Breed Restrictions
The City of Orange does not impose breed-specific legislation banning any particular dog breed. OMC Chapter 6.04 and Orange County animal regulations focus on individual animal behavior rather than breed when addressing dangerous dogs.
Orange Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code Section 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 as prov...
Beekeeping
Keeping bees anywhere in Orange requires a permit from the Director of Community Development under Municipal Code Section 6.08.010. The hive cannot sit within 300 feet of any neighboring dwelling or within 100 feet of the property's own boundary, and once permitted the beekeeper must keep a steady water source next to the hive at all times.
Orange Backyard Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 6.08.010 (Keeping of Bees, Permit Required)
No person shall keep bees within the City without first procuring a permit. The Director of Community Development is authorized to issue such permit on payment of a fee in an amount set by City Council resolution. No permit shall be issued to any person who proposes to establish or maintain any hive or box where bees are kept, or otherwise proposes to keep any bees on any premises within 300 fe...
Exotic Pets
The City of Orange prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals under OMC Section 6.04.060. Restricted species include those listed in California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671, venomous reptiles, snakes over six feet, and animals designated as invasive by CDFW.
Orange Exotic Pet Regulations
Significant Restrictions14 CCR Section 671(c); CDFW Restricted Species Permit Program
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Entitlements include Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment (New: $155.53; Renewal and Amendment: $80.60), Restricted Species Permit Inspection (fees vary by number of enclosures), ...
Pet Limits
On residential lots smaller than 20,000 square feet, Orange caps mature dogs and cats at three of each, and caps poultry, rabbits, reptiles, rodents and other small animals under five pounds at six total, with those small-animal enclosures kept 20 feet from neighboring homes.
Orange Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 17.13.040(F)(3) (Animal Keeping)
3. The keeping of animals on lots having less than 20,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit, shall conform to the following: a. The total number of mature dogs and cats shall be limited to three dogs and three cats. b. Poultry (roosters prohibited), rabbits, reptiles, rodents, and other small animals (less than five pounds), shall be limited to a total number of six, and all such animal...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals in Orange, whether or not they board animals or treat livestock, must provide 5 off-street parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area under the City's nonresidential parking table, a higher ratio than kennels or grooming businesses face.
Orange Veterinary Clinic Parking Requirement
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code Table 17.34.060(B) (Required Number of Parking Spaces for Nonresidential Uses)
Veterinary clinic/hospital, with or without boarding, including or not including livestock animals 5 spaces per 1,000 SF of GFA.
Bird Protection
Orange has designated itself a wild bird sanctuary and, under Municipal Code Section 6.08.030, no one may shoot any species of wild bird within the City or molest or damage a wild bird's nest or eggs. The City backs the rule with entrance signs reading "ORANGE IS A WILD BIRD SANCTUARY" under Section 6.08.040.
Orange Wild Bird Protection Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code §§ 6.08.030-6.08.040 (Molesting Birds; Wild Bird Sanctuary)
§ 6.08.030. Molesting Birds and Bird Eggs Prohibited. No person shall shoot any species of wild birds within the City, and no person shall molest or damage the nest or the eggs of any wild birds within the City. However, if the City Council, the Chief of Police or the person charged with animal control shall determine that starlings or other birds have become so numerous in any particular locat...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orange city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Orange County →