Animal Ordinances in Palm Desert, CA (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Palm Desert, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Palm Desert, it is unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor livestock or fowl within the city. The code lists cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry including chickens, roosters and turkeys, horses and donkeys. Violations are infractions with fines capped at $50, $100 and $200.
Palm Desert Ban on Chickens and Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.28.110
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor livestock or fowl, including but not limited to, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry (including chickens, roosters, turkeys, or other fowl), horses, or donkeys, within the city.
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Palm Desert, no owner or keeper may let a dog, licensed or unlicensed, be or run at large in a public place or on unenclosed private premises unless it is on a substantial leash not exceeding six feet in length and under a competent person's control. Violations are infractions with fines capped at $50, $100 and $200.
Palm Desert Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.28.010
No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow, permit or suffer the dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any unenclosed private place or premises, or in or upon any enclosed private place or premises other than those of the owner or keeper except with the consent of the person in charge of the private place or premises, unle...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Palm Desert, Article 6.18 regulates dangerous animals by conduct, and none of its definitions names a breed. A dangerous animal is one that twice within a 48 month period in two separate incidents pursued, attacked or bit, or once caused death or substantial injury. The county of Riverside issues restraint orders and enforces them.
Palm Desert Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.18.020
"Dangerous animal"means: A. Any animal which has twice within a 48 month period in two separate incidents has actively pursued, attacked, bitten, or otherwise caused a less severe injury than a "substantial injury" (as defined in this section), to another person or animal engaged in a lawful activity; B. Any animal which has once attacked, bitten, or otherwise caused injury to a person or anima...
Beekeeping
In the City of Palm Desert, California, beekeeping is allowed in every residential zoning district under Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.34.170, limited to Apis mellifera honeybees kept as an ancillary use to a single-family dwelling. Lots of 20,000 square feet or less get 2 permanent colonies, larger lots get 4, and hives sit 5 feet from every property line.
Palm Desert Beekeeping Rules in Residential Zones
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.34.170
B. Applicability. ... Beekeeping is allowed in all residential zoning districts, subject to compliance with the standards of this section and other relevant requirements of this title. C. General requirements. 1. Beekeeping use shall be limited to Apis mellifera (European/western common honeybees) and must be an ancillary use to a single-family dwelling. ... 5. The maximum number of permanent b...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Palm Desert, § 6.28.110 states that keeping any animal other than a common household pet, such as a dog or cat, is prohibited. Skunks are separately barred from capture, captivity and pet keeping under a rabies quarantine in § 6.16.010.G. Violations of Chapter 6.28 are infractions with fines capped at $50, $100 and $200.
Palm Desert Exotic and Non-Household Animal Prohibition
Heavy RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.28.110
The keeping of any animal other than a common household pet, such as a dog or cat, is prohibited.
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Palm Desert, California, no one can feed, cause to be fed, or leave food for consumption by wild or domestic birds and fowl inside a public park or recreation area. The ban is Municipal Code § 11.01.080(Z) and covers birds only, not other wildlife.
Palm Desert Park Ban on Feeding Birds and Fowl
Light RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 11.01.080(Z)
Within the limits of any public park or recreation area of the city, no person shall: ... Z. No person shall feed or cause to be fed or leave food for consumption by any wild or domestic birds and/or fowl.
Pet Limits
In the City of Palm Desert, it is unlawful to keep or harbor more than four animals of any combination on residential premises. Kittens under the age of three months and puppies under the age of four months are not counted toward the four. Violations are infractions with fines capped at $50, $100 and $200.
Palm Desert Limit of Four Animals per Residence
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.28.070
It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor more than four animals of any combination on residential premises. This does not include kittens under the age of three months or puppies under the age of four months.
Cat Rules
In the City of Palm Desert, California, no one can own, keep or harbor an unaltered cat: every cat must be spayed or neutered or covered by a certificate of sterility under § 6.12.150. Cats over four months old also need a Riverside County Department of Animal Services microchip, and § 6.28.140 supports trap-neuter-return for feral cats.
Palm Desert Cat Spay, Neuter and Microchip Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.12.150
A. Requirement. ... No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered dog or cat in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility, or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with this chapter. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must have the animal spayed or neutered or provide a certif...
Microchipping
In the City of Palm Desert, every dog and cat over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip from the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. Owners give the county the chip number and report any change of owner, address or telephone number. Three exemptions cover medical risk, impaired mobility and owners who live outside the city.
Palm Desert Mandatory Microchipping of Dogs and Cats
Significant RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.12.160
A. Microchipping Required. All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip from the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the county of Riverside and shall notify the county of Riverside of any change of ownership of the dog or cat, or any change of address or telephone ...
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Palm Desert, kennels and pet shops must hold a current business license and a separate annual kennel license from the health officer, and catteries need a separate annual cattery license. Separate sections bar offering or selling a dog or cat on any public street, sidewalk, park or private property, and prohibit backyard breeding.
Palm Desert Pet Shop License and Animal Sales Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 6.12.120
A. Kennels. Kennels or pet shops must obtain a current business license and a separate annual kennel license from the health officer. Kennel license fees shall be set by city council resolution, or else match unincorporated Riverside County rates. B. Catteries. Catteries must obtain a current business license and separate annual cattery license from the health officer. Cattery license fees shal...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Palm Desert, California, animal clinics, which include veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, must meet the use standards in Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.34.210. The use is outpatient with only temporary boarding, runs inside a totally enclosed air-conditioned building, bans outdoor runs, and in downtown districts needs Highway 111 frontage.
Palm Desert Animal Clinic and Veterinary Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.34.210
B. Specific use standards. 1. The use of the building space shall be restricted to medical treatment and incidental care such as bathing, the trimming of common household pets on an outpatient basis only, except that temporary boarding in connection with medical treatment shall be permitted. 2. The entire use shall be conducted within a totally enclosed and air-conditioned building. 3. Outdoor ...
Bird Protection
In the City of Palm Desert, California, no one can hunt, frighten, chase, trap, injure or destroy any animal or bird in a public park or recreation area, or disturb the young or eggs of a bird. The rule is Municipal Code § 11.01.080(U) and is enforced as a misdemeanor.
Palm Desert Park Rule Protecting Birds, Eggs and Young
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 11.01.080(U)
Within the limits of any public park or recreation area of the city, no person shall: ... U. Hunt, frighten, chase, set snare for, catch, injure or destroy any animal or bird, or destroy, remove or disturb any of the young or eggs of same, or injure or maltreat any domestic or other animal;
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Desert city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Riverside County →