Animal Ordinances in Rancho Cordova, CA (2026)

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.11.040 (Requirements for the Keeping of Backyard Hens)

It shall be unlawful to keep, possess, or maintain poultry or fowl on any parcel of property located in the city except in accordance with the following regulations: 1. A maximum of six hens may be kept within the backyard or rear yard of a developed residential lot within the RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, or RD-7 land use categories with a permit issued pursuant to RCMC § 8.11.050. 2. No roosters sh...

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.03.010(A)(1) (Animal Restraint — Leash Length)

No owner of any animal, wild or domestic, except the domestic cat, shall permit or suffer the animal to: 1. Be off a leash or be restrained by a leash which is more than eight feet in length. An animal need not be on a leash while it is on the premises of its owner nor while on other private property with consent of the owner. This subsection shall apply to all areas of the city unless clearly ...

California Food and Agricultural Code Section 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...

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.12.040 (Beekeeping Best Practices); California Food and Agricultural Code § 29040

A minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet is advised for beekeeping. A maximum of two hives should be allowed on any lot or parcel up to 10,000 square feet in size. For lots or parcels between 10,001 and 20,000 square feet in size, a maximum of four hives should be allowed... ... Hives should not be kept or maintained within any required front yard area. Hives located within the side and rear yar...

RCMC § 23.1104.040 (Land Use Definitions - Exotic Animals); § 23.310.030, Note 3 (Residential Zoning Districts Allowed Use Table)

"Exotic animals" means wild animals not customarily confined or cultivated by man for domestic or commercial purposes, but kept as a pet or for display, including miniature pigs, snakes, reptiles, and large tropical birds (including peacocks). 3. ... Exotic animals: ... No more than five exotic animals are permitted per parcel. All exotic animals shall be kept and maintained in such a way that ...

California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit (Keep Me Wild Program)

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources...

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.06.010 (Unlicensed Dogs and Cats); § 8.03.005(A)(4)-(5) (Licensing Exemptions — Unowned and Farm/Feral Cats)

All persons owning or having custody of a dog or cat over the age of four months shall obtain a license and tag for each dog and cat from the animal services manager. Each applicant for such a license shall pay an annual fee as specified by the city council... ... Every owner of an unlicensed or untagged dog or cat shall be deemed to be in violation of this title... ... The licensing regulation...

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.08.020 (Fine for Impounded Nonspayed or Unneutered Dog or Cat)

The owner of a nonspayed or unneutered dog or cat that is impounded by animal services shall be fined $35.00 on the first occurrence, $50.00 on the second occurrence, and $100.00 for the third or subsequent occurrence. These fines are for unaltered impounded dogs and cats only, and are not in lieu of any fines or impound fees imposed by the Sacramento SPCA. ... This section is adopted pursuant ...

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 8.07.060(A)(16) (Permit Conditions — Sterilization and Microchip)

The owner must consent and pay for the animal to be sterilized and have a microchip implanted by animal services for identification purposes.

RCMC § 23.1104.040 (Land Use Definitions - Animal Sales and Grooming)

"Animal sales and grooming" means retail sales of domestic and exotic animals, bathing and trimming services, and boarding of said animals for a maximum period of 72 hours, conducted entirely within an enclosed building with no outdoor use.

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (RCMC) § 23.310.030, Table 23.310-1 (Residential Zoning Districts); § 23.304.030(B) (Administrative Use Permit); § 23.1104.040 (Land Use Definitions - Veterinary Facility)

B. Administrative (AUP). A land use shown with an "AUP" indicates that the land use is permitted in the designated zoning district upon issuance of an administrative use permit from the designated approval authority... ... An administrative use permit may only be considered for projects exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). ... Table 23.310-1: Allowed Uses and Permit Requ...

RCMC § 9.04.020 (Destruction of Plants – Molesting Birds)

No person shall cut, break, pluck, remove or in any manner destroy or injure any tree, shrub, plant or flower, or destroy, injure or molest any bird or any bird's nest or any bird's eggs within the boundaries of any cemetery located within the limits of the city.