Animal Ordinances in Paramount, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Paramount, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Paramount, poultry and fowl are prohibited as household pets in the R-1, R-2 and R-M residential zones, along with livestock and horses, and households are capped at three adult animals per dwelling unit. Section 6.20.040 separately declares fowl and rabbits running or flying at large a nuisance.
Chickens, Poultry and Livestock Rules in Paramount, CA
Heavy RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code §§ 6.20.040, 17.08.020(F)
§ 6.20.040. Running at large prohibited—Fowl and rabbits. It is hereby declared to be a nuisance and no person shall suffer or permit any rabbits and/or permitted birds and/or fowl, owned or controlled by him or her, to run or fly at large or to go upon the premises of any other person in the City. ... F. Household pets of a type readily classifiable as being customarily incidental and accessor...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Paramount, no one in charge of a dog can let it off the owner's premises unless it is on a strong leash of not exceeding six feet, securely and continuously held by a competent person, or inside an enclosed vehicle. Section 6.20.010 exempts law enforcement dogs, and dogs are separately barred from public parks, leashed or not.
Dog Leash and At-Large Rules in Paramount, CA
Some RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code § 6.20.010
§ 6.20.010. Running at large prohibited generally. No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely confined by a strong leash of not exceeding six feet, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interes...
Breed Restrictions
Paramount's vicious dog rule turns on behavior, not breed. Under Municipal Code § 6.20.060, a dog with a disposition or propensity to attack or bite without provocation is a wild or vicious animal, and two recorded bites are prima facie evidence. The Director then orders enclosure or chaining, backed by impoundment and summary destruction.
Vicious Dog Definition and Breed Rules in Paramount, CA
Some RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code § 6.20.060(B)-(C)
B. Any dog having a disposition or propensity to attack or bite any person or animal without provocation is hereby defined as a wild or vicious animal. The Director shall notify the owner or harborer in writing to keep such animal within a substantial enclosure or securely attached to a chain or any other type of control which is reasonably adequate under the circumstances. If such restraint is...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is prohibited citywide in the City of Paramount. Municipal Code § 6.44.010 states that no person shall establish or maintain any hive or box where bees are kept, or keep any bees on any premises, dwelling, or property within City limits. The section prints no zone exception, permit or colony allowance.
Beekeeping Ban in Paramount, CA
Heavy RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code §§ 6.04.060, 6.44.010
§ 6.04.060. Punishment. ... Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person is guilty of a separate offense for every day during any portion of which any violation of any of the pr...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Paramount, keeping any listed wild animal or a known vicious or dangerous animal requires a permit from the Director of Animal Care and Control under Municipal Code § 6.40.020. Section 6.20.060(A) names lions, tigers, bears, wolves, monkeys and poisonous reptiles, among others, and permits last no more than one year.
Wild and Exotic Animal Permit Rules in Paramount, CA
Significant RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code §§ 6.04.080, 6.20.060(A), 6.40.020
Wild animal.Any wild, exotic, dangerous or non-domestic animal, including, but not limited to, mammals, fowl, fish or reptiles. ... A. No person owning or having charge, custody, control or possession of any animal or reptile known by such person to be vicious or dangerous, or commonly so known, or owning or having charge, custody, control or possession of any elephant, bear, hippopotamus, rhin...
Pet Limits
In the City of Paramount, California, R-1 households can keep no more than three adult animals of any species per dwelling unit, except birds under Section 6.44.020 and fish in an aquarium. An animal is an adult when over four months of age or capable of reproducing. Livestock, poultry, wild species and potentially dangerous animals are prohibited.
Pet Limits Per Household in Paramount, CA
Some RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code § 17.08.020(F)
F. Household pets of a type readily classifiable as being customarily incidental and accessory to a permitted principal residential use when no commercial activity is involved, subject to the following conditions and restrictions: 1. No more than three adult animals of any species shall be permitted per dwelling unit except birds as specified in Section 6.44.020 of this Code and fish contained ...
Cat Rules
In the City of Paramount, California, a cat license is voluntary. Municipal Code § 6.12.130 says it does not require the licensing of cats and only provides an optional identification license. Dogs carry a mandatory license, cats do not. Cat breeding and cat kennels are regulated separately, and impounded cats without identification get a shorter holding period.
Cat Licensing and Cat Kennel Rules in Paramount, CA
Light RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code §§ 6.12.130, 6.24.050(B), 6.36.140
§ 6.12.130. Optional identification license for cats. In order to provide a method for identifying cats, a license may be obtained as prescribed in this chapter. This section shall not require the licensing of cats, but merely provide for their optional licensing. ... B. Cats. ... All cats impounded at the animal shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the Directo...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Paramount's sterilization mandate in Municipal Code § 6.32.010 binds the animal shelter, not private owners: the shelter cannot sell or give away a female cat over six months unspayed or a male cat over six months unaltered. Separately, § 6.08.070 authorizes the Director to run a public spay and neuter clinic.
Spay and Neuter Rules in Paramount, CA
Light RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code §§ 6.08.070(A), 6.32.010
§ 6.08.070. Spay and neuter clinic. A. The Director of Animal Care and Control may establish a clinic, at which members of the public may have dogs and cats spayed or neutered in a humane manner upon payment of the fees established by the Director. ... § 6.32.010. Spaying or altering required. The animal shelter shall not sell or give away any female cat more than six months of age that has not...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Paramount, California, animal hospitals, kennels and veterinary offices are unclassified uses under Paramount Municipal Code § 17.40.010. Each one needs a conditional use permit processed under Chapter 17.48, and the code excludes them outright from the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and C-3 zones. The Planning Commission decides, and the City Council hears appeals.
Veterinary Office and Animal Hospital Zoning in Paramount, CA
Significant RestrictionsParamount Municipal Code § 17.40.010
A. All of the following, and all matters related thereto, are declared to be uses possessing characteristics of such unique and special form as to make impractical their being included automatically in any classes of use as set forth in the various classifications defined in this chapter, and the authority for the location and operation thereof shall be subject to and permitted only after first...
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