Animal Ordinances in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Palm Springs treats chickens, roosters, ducks, geese and other farm animals as 'livestock,' not household pets, and its animal code makes it unlawful to keep livestock anywhere in the city unless the zoning code expressly permits that animal in the particular zone or district. Most residential lots cannot legally keep backyard chickens without that zoning authorization.
Palm Springs Backyard Chickens and Livestock
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 10.04.090 (Livestock); § 10.04.100 (Household Pets); § 10.24.011(a) (Prohibited Animals)
"Livestock" means any domestic animal customarily kept, used, maintained, or raised on a farm or ranch, including but not limited to, horses, ponies, burros, mules, donkeys, sheep, cows, goats, chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, and swine. ... The term "household pets" does not include livestock or any animal or bird that is a dangerous or prohibited species or is commonly kept for commercial or...
Dog Leash Laws
Every dog in Palm Springs must be on a leash no longer than six feet whenever it leaves its owner's premises, held by someone capable of controlling it. City code defines a dog as legally 'at large' the moment it is off-property and not restrained by leash or chain. Animal Control impounds loose dogs found on public or private property without the owner's consent.
Palm Springs Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 10.28.010 (Dogs Running at Large); § 10.04.020 (At Large - Definitions)
"At large" means an animal off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash, or chain, or not otherwise controlled by a competent person. ... No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow, permit or suffer such 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 encl...
Breed Restrictions
Palm Springs does not impose breed-specific legislation. California Food and Agriculture Code §31683 prohibits cities from enacting breed-specific bans, though it allows breed-specific spay/neuter and breeding requirements. Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 10.80 and state law (CA Food & Ag §31601–31683) regulate 'dangerous' and 'vicious' dogs based on behavior, not breed.
Palm Springs Dog Breed and Dangerous Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 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...
Exotic Pets
Owning a wild or exotic animal in Palm Springs requires special written authorization from the Animal Control Officer before the animal ever comes onto the property, plus an annual registration fee for species such as primates, non-domestic cats, reptiles and carnivorous aquatic animals. Keeping a wild animal without that authorization violates Title 10.
Palm Springs Exotic and Wild Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 10.24.011(b) (Prohibited Animals - Exception); § 10.24.015 (Wild Animals - Authorization Required); § 10.24.016 (Wild Animals - Registration Fee)
This prohibition shall not apply to animals that are permitted under Section 10.24.015 of this code ("Wild animals—Authorization required") or otherwise expressly authorized by the city council. ... No person shall have, keep, harbor or maintain any wild animal within the city without first applying to and receiving special authorization from the animal control officer of the city. ... Any pers...
Cat Rules
Anyone whose cat breeds within Palm Springs city limits must first hold a City breeding permit, renewed annually for a fee the City Council sets by resolution. Permits cap breeding at three litters per household in any 36-month period, and unpermitted breeding draws administrative fines starting at $500 per violation.
Palm Springs Cat Breeding Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 10.24.040(A),(E)(1) (Dog and Cat Breeding - Breeding Permit Required); § 10.24.045(A)(3) (Penalties)
No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit. ... The breeding permit shall authorize no more than three dog or cat litters per domestic household in any 36 month period, or the offering of a male dog or cat for stud three times in any 36 month period. ... Any cat or dog owner whose animal has been bred ...
Pet Store Rules
Palm Springs bans pet stores from selling dogs and cats outright: no retail store may display, sell, deliver, barter, auction or give away a dog or cat within the city. The ban exempts animals bred and reared on-site, publicly operated shelters, nonprofit rescues, and stores that host shelter or rescue animals for public adoption.
Palm Springs Pet Store Sales Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 10.24.021(b)-(d) (Retail Sale of Dogs and Cats)
No pet store shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of dogs or cats in the City of Palm Springs. ... A person or establishment that sells, delivers, offers for sale, barters, auctions, gives away, or otherwise transfers or disposes of only animals that were bred and reared on the premises of the person or establishment; ... A p...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet shops that include grooming are a permitted use in the C-D-N designed neighborhood shopping center zone, but the Zoning Code draws a hard line at kennel facilities: overnight boarding kennels are not covered by this by-right listing. Any grooming business on a C-D-N property still has to comply with the zone's separate property development standards.
Palm Springs Pet Grooming Shop Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code § 92.10.01(A)(27) (C-D-N Zone, Uses Permitted)
27. Pet shops including pet grooming (no kennel facilities);
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics are a permitted use in Palm Springs's C-D-N neighborhood shopping center zone, but only as outpatient facilities. The Zoning Code's listing does not extend to overnight boarding or inpatient animal hospitals, which fall outside this by-right category.
Palm Springs Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code § 92.10.01(A)(37) (C-D-N Zone, Uses Permitted)
37. Veterinary clinic, outpatient only;
Bird Protection
Palm Springs bans killing, capturing or molesting any wildlife species, including birds, and damaging nests or eggs anywhere in the city, with the whole city designated a wildlife sanctuary under Chapter 11.36. Only the city manager can permit removal of wildlife that has become a genuine health or safety menace.
Wildlife and Bird Protection in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11.36.010 (Wildlife Protected); Sec. 11.36.020 (Signs)
No person shall kill, capture or molest any species of wildlife or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife within the city, except any poisonous reptile or insect; provided, however, that if it shall be determined by the city manager, or his authorized representative, that wildlife has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property, the city manager shall issue a permit authorizing ...
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