Animal Ordinances in Oxnard, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Oxnard, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Oxnard caps rabbits and poultry, chickens included, at 25 total per property in residential and commercial zones under Code § 5-30, with up to 200 allowed in manufacturing zones by special use permit. Larger livestock like horses and cows need at least 10,000 square feet and a permit for more than one animal.
Oxnard Backyard Poultry and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-30
SEC. 5-30. RABBITS OR POULTRY. (A) Except for registered homing pigeons, no person shall maintain or permit to be maintained more than 25 in all of rabbits or poultry upon any premises located in a residential or commercial zone of the city. (B) No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained upon any premises in a manufacturing zone of the city, more than 200 in all of rabbits or poultry e...
Dog Leash Laws
Oxnard requires every dog to be securely leashed and under continuous, capable control whenever it is on a public beach, street, sidewalk, alley, park, or any place open to the public, under Code § 5-42. Working dogs, show dogs, and posted leash-free beach areas are exempt.
Oxnard Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-42
SEC. 5-42. DOG LEASHING REQUIRED. No person shall permit any dog owned, harbored or controlled by that person to be on any public beach, street, sidewalk, alley, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public unless the dog is securely leashed, and the leash is continuously controlled by a responsible person capable of controlling such dog or unless such dog is securely confine...
Breed Restrictions
Oxnard does not single out any dog breed by name; instead Code § 5-40 lets a peace officer shoot, or the poundmaster humanely destroy, any dog or cat running at large that is dangerous to people or property because of its vicious disposition, regardless of breed.
Oxnard Dangerous Dog and Cat Rules
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-40
SEC. 5-40. DESTRUCTION OF DANGEROUS DOGS OR CATS RUNNING AT LARGE. Any dog or cat which is running at large and which is, by reason of its vicious disposition, dangerous to persons or property may be shot by any peace officer or taken up and destroyed in a humane manner by the poundmaster.
Beekeeping
Oxnard bans keeping bees anywhere in the city, residential or otherwise, under Code § 5-25. The only way around it is a special use permit for bees needed for agricultural purposes, plus narrow carve-outs for bees passing through in sealed containers or kept in a schoolhouse for study.
Oxnard Beekeeping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-25
No person shall maintain or cause or permit to be maintained any bees in or upon any premises in the city; except, that bees necessary for agricultural purposes may be maintained by special use permit. The provisions of this section shall not apply to bees in sealed containers in transit through the city or to bees within a schoolhouse for the purpose of study or observation.
Exotic Pets
Exotic pet ownership in Oxnard is governed primarily by California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. Many exotic species including ferrets, hedgehogs, and most primates are illegal to own in California.
Oxnard Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 671 (CDFW Restricted Species)
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) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of a...
Pet Limits
Oxnard caps residential-zone pet ownership at four dogs over six months old and four cats over four months old per property, set out separately in Code §§ 5-32 and 5-33. Younger puppies and kittens under those ages do not count toward either cap.
Oxnard Household Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances §§ 5-32, 5-33
SEC. 5-32. DOGS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONE. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained upon any premises in a residential zone of the city more than four dogs over the age of six months for any purpose. SEC. 5-33. CATS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONE. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained upon any premises in a residential zone of the city more than four cats over the age of four months.
Cat Rules
Oxnard requires any cat allowed outdoors to be surgically sterilized under Code § 5-64. Letting an unaltered cat outside, even briefly, is an infraction, making this one of the more specific outdoor-access mandates in the animal code.
Oxnard Outdoor Cat Sterilization Rule
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-64
SEC. 5-64. CAT STERILIZATION REQUIRED. (A) No person owning a cat shall allow such cat to have access to the out of doors unless such cat has been surgically sterilized. (B) Any person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Oxnard bans letting an unaltered cat roam outdoors. City Code Sec. 5-64 requires any cat with outdoor access to be surgically sterilized, and the poundmaster's animal control division enforces it as an infraction.
Oxnard Mandatory Cat Sterilization Law
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-64
SEC. 5-64. CAT STERILIZATION REQUIRED. (A) No person owning a cat shall allow such cat to have access to the out of doors unless such cat has been surgically sterilized. (B) Any person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction. (`64 Code, Sec. 5-36.1) (Ord. No. 2388)
Microchipping
Oxnard does not mandate microchipping citywide, but Code § 5-52(A) lets a licensed cat skip wearing its physical license tag if it carries an implanted microchip the poundmaster can read. Dogs get no equivalent microchip exemption under the parallel Section 5-51.
Oxnard Cat Microchip Tag Exemption
Light RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 5-52
SEC. 5-52. CAT EXEMPTION FROM WEARING LICENSE TAG. The license tag need not be worn when the cat is: (A) Identified by a microchip implanted under the skin which is acceptable to and readable by the poundmaster; (B) Securely confined in a cage or vehicle; (C) Confined in a veterinary facility, licensed kennel, cattery, grooming facility or State chartered benevolent organization for the care of...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Oxnard's Commercial Land Use Matrix at Code Section 16-107 lists "veterinary hospitals for small animals, serving common household pets" as a Special Use Permit use, and only in the C-2 zone; the C-O and C-1 columns are left blank, which the matrix key defines as Not Allowed. Outdoor kennels are barred outright, and the Planning Commission decides every application.
Oxnard Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 16-107
Key: Blank: Not Allowed X: Prohibited Use P: Permitted Use SPR: Site Plan Review** SUP: Special Use Permit DDR: Development Design Review Permit** ... Veterinary hospitals for small animals, serving common household pets, SUP provided that no outdoor kennels are permitted
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