Animal Ordinances in Pleasanton, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Pleasanton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Pleasanton's R-1 single-family zoning permits keeping household pets "including up to six female chickens" by right, no roosters implied and no permit needed, while a separate citywide nuisance rule bans letting chickens, geese, ducks or other fowl run or fly loose onto a neighbor's property.
Pleasanton Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.32.030(F)
The following uses shall be permitted in the R-1 districts: ... F. Household pets including up to six female chickens.
Dog Leash Laws
Pleasanton bans letting any dog, licensed or not, run at large. The code defines "at large" as off the owner's property without consent and not on a leash of six feet (non-retractable) or 30 feet (retractable), or leashed but not physically controlled by the owner.
Pleasanton Dogs-at-Large / Leash Law
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 7.16.010
Except as permitted in this section and Section 13.08.080 of this code, it shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be at large. "At large" means a dog that: Is on or in any public property; or Is on or in any private property other than that of the owner of the dog unless the person in charge of the private property has consented to the do...
Breed Restrictions
Pleasanton has no breed ban; instead Chapter 7.20 lets the health officer certify an individual dog as "vicious" based on its bite history and circumstances, triggering confinement, a city-manager hearing, and possible removal, destruction or abatement of the dog as a public nuisance.
Pleasanton Vicious Dog Declaration Process
Significant RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 7.20.020
A "vicious dog" shall mean a dog with a propensity to bite human beings or other animals. In determining whether a dog is vicious, the following factors shall be considered: A. Whether and how many times the dog has bitten human beings; B. Whether and how many times the dog has bitten other animals; C. Whether a biting or bitings have occurred while the dog was under the control or on the prope...
Beekeeping
Pleasanton allows beekeeping in A, R-1 and RM zones and the Downtown Specific Plan Area, but only with a zoning administrator permit, on-site residency by the beekeeper, five-foot property-line setbacks, and a two-hive cap on single-family lots (ten in the Agricultural district).
Pleasanton Backyard Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.103.080
B. In the R-1 zoning district, RM zoning district, or Downtown Specific Plan Area zoning district, the beekeeper shall reside at the property where the hive is located. C. In the R-1 zoning district, RM zoning district, or Downtown Specific Plan Area, hives shall be located at least five feet from the side and rear property lines. Hives are not allowed in the area between the front property lin...
Wildlife Feeding
Pleasanton makes it unlawful citywide to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal on a sidewalk, street or highway. The rule, adopted in 2015, targets the feeding sites that draw geese, deer, rodents and other wildlife into public rights-of-way.
Pleasanton Ban on Feeding Wild Birds/Animals
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 7.36.075
It is unlawful for any person to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal in or on any sidewalk, street or highway of the city.
Pet Limits
Pleasanton does not cap household dogs directly, but keeping four or more dogs at one premises makes it a "kennel" under Section 6.48.010, and Section 6.48.020 makes it unlawful to maintain a kennel without a permit from the health officer plus a $20 annual license.
Pleasanton Kennel Permit Triggers at Four Dogs
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code §§ 6.48.010, 6.48.020
"Kennel" means a premises where four or more dogs are maintained, boarded, cared for, or kept, whether for purpose of sale or otherwise, except premises where a duly licensed veterinary has his or her principal facilities for treatment of pets and animals. ... It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to erect, establish or maintain any kennel or pet shop as defined in thi...
Pet Store Rules
Pleasanton does not ban retail pet sales outright, but no one may operate a pet shop or kennel in the city without a health officer permit and a $20 annual license. The health officer weighs sanitation, animal housing and the applicant's character before approving, and can suspend or revoke a permit for cruelty, neglect or unsanitary conditions.
Pleasanton Pet Shop and Kennel Permits
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 6.48.020
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to erect, establish or maintain any kennel or pet shop as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a permit from the health officer. The granting of such permit shall be in the discretion of the health officer, who shall take into consideration the type of construction to be employed as it relates to sanitation and manner i...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Pleasanton's Agricultural (A) zoning district, a veterinary office cannot open by right. Pleasanton Municipal Code § 18.28.040 lists 'Veterinarians' offices' among the conditional uses that require a use permit from the planning commission, granted only after a public hearing, not simple administrative sign-off. The permit process runs through Chapter 18.124 and can carry binding operating conditions.
Veterinary Offices in Pleasanton's A District
Significant RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 18.28.040
The following uses shall be permitted in the A district upon the granting of a use permit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.124 of this title: ... FF. Veterinarians' offices.
Bird Protection
Inside Pleasanton's parks and recreation facilities, no one may take, kill, wound, mistreat or molest any bird or animal, wild or domesticated. The rule sits in the parks-conduct chapter alongside bans on fires, firearms and littering, and is enforced as an infraction.
Pleasanton City Parks Bird Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsPleasanton Municipal Code § 13.08.060
No person shall take, kill, wound, mistreat or molest any bird or animal, either wild or domesticated.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pleasanton city rules.
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