Animal Ordinances in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Rancho Cucamonga, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Non-crowing poultry and rabbits are allowed in all residential zones, from 4 birds on 7,200-9,999 sq ft lots up to 25 on lots of 20,000 sq ft or more, while crowing roosters need a full acre in the VL zone (max 2) or 10 acres in ME1 (max 6) plus noise compliance.
Rancho Cucamonga Backyard Chickens & Livestock
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga Development Code Sec. 17.88.020, Table 17.88.020-1 (Number of Animals Permitted by Zone)
Poultry (non-crowing), rabbits | All residential and form-based zones | -, 4, 5, 25 ... Poultry (crowing) | VL zone only (3) | -, -, -, 2 | ME1 zone only (4) | -, -, -, 6 ... (3) For crowing poultry in the VL zones, a minimum of one acre is required. The maximum number of animals allowed is two, subject to compliance with section 17.66.050 (Noise standards). (4) For crowing poultry and livestoc...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs and cats must be on a leash and under full control while in any Rancho Cucamonga park, recreational trail or city recreation facility, under Municipal Code section 12.04.010(A)(1). The city carves out specific posted leash-optional areas with their own rules under section 12.04.020.
Rancho Cucamonga Park Dog Leash Requirements
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga, CA, Municipal Code §§ 12.04.010(A)(1), 12.04.020(A)(3)
Lead or let loose any animal except: 1. Dogs or cats on a leash which are under the full control of a person... Any dog within a posted leash-optional area of any city-owned park, as established by resolution of the city council; provided, however, that nothing herein shall relieve the owner or person having charge, custody, care and/or control of such dog from the responsibility to maintain pr...
Breed Restrictions
Rancho Cucamonga does not ban specific dog breeds. California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 preempts breed-specific bans and limits cities to general dangerous-dog ordinances applied individually.
Rancho Cucamonga Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683
Food and Agricultural Code - FAC DIVISION 14. REGULATION AND LICENSING OF DOGS [30501 - 31683] CHAPTER 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs [31601 - 31683] ARTICLE 5. Miscellaneous [31681 - 31683] 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 incorpor...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is limited to the VL residential zone and capped at 2 hives per lot. Hives must sit in a rear yard at least 50 feet from any property line, street, school, park or occupied dwelling, behind a 6-foot flyway barrier that forces bees to fly above six feet.
Rancho Cucamonga Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Significant RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga Development Code Sec. 17.88.030 (Standards for Beekeeping)
A. Beekeeping is allowed in the VL zone. The principal use of the property on which beehives are kept must be residential. B. Beehives, structures for housing honeybees, shall only be located in rear yards and shall be placed a minimum of 50 feet from any property line, street, road, highway, public school, park, property boundary, and from any dwelling or place of human habitation other than t...
Exotic Pets
Rancho Cucamonga follows California Fish and Game Code section 2118, which bans exotic animals without a permit. Primates, big cats, venomous reptiles, and constrictors are prohibited.
Rancho Cucamonga Exotic Pet Rules
Some RestrictionsCDFW - Restricted Species Permitting (Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, Sec. 671)
Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of an existing permit, nonrefundable. Restricted Species Permit Inspection 1-5 Enclosures: $319.50 6-25 Enclosures: $448.00 26-50 Enclosures...
Pet Limits
Rancho Cucamonga caps household cats and dogs by lot size in every zone: 3 of each on lots under 10,000 square feet, rising to 4 of each on lots of 10,000 square feet or more, with combined pet types allowed if each meets its own minimum-lot-size rule.
Rancho Cucamonga Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga Development Code Sec. 17.88.020(A), Table 17.88.020-1 (Number of Animals Permitted by Zone)
Domestic Pets: Cats, All zones, 3, 3, 4, 4. Dogs, All zones, 3, 3, 4, 4. ... b. The overall maximum number of animals that can be kept on a property can be a combination of the permitted different animal group types provided that: i. The property complies with the minimum lot size requirement for each individual type of animal; and ii. The number of each individual type of animal does not excee...
Cat Rules
Rancho Cucamonga's Development Code caps how many cats a household can keep based on lot size: three cats on lots under 10,000 square feet, and four cats on lots of 10,000 square feet or more, in every zone citywide. Kittens under four months old don't count toward the cap while they're still nursing with their mother.
Rancho Cucamonga Cat Limit Per Household
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga, CA, Development Code Sec. 17.88.020(A)(1), Table 17.88.020-1 (Number of Animals Permitted by Zone)
Table 17.88.020-1 NUMBER OF ANIMALS PERMITTED BY ZONE Type of Animal Zones in Which Animals are Permitted Maximum Number of Animals Permitted by Lot Size (sq. ft.) <7,200 7,200 – 9,999 ≥10,000 – 19,999 ≥20,000 Domestic Pets Cats All zones 3 3 4 4
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Rancho Cucamonga does not mandate spaying or neutering household cats or dogs, but its Development Code requires miniature goats and miniature pigs kept as small livestock to be neutered or spayed by four months of age, and older male miniature pigs to have tusks trimmed.
Rancho Cucamonga Miniature Goat & Pig Spay Rule
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga Development Code Sec. 17.88.020(C)(4)(b)
b. Miniature goats, miniature pigs, or similar-sized animals. i. Miniature goats shall be neutered by four months of age. Miniature pigs shall be spayed or neutered by four months of age. ii. Male miniature pigs two years of age or older shall have their tusks properly trimmed.
Microchipping
Rancho Cucamonga does not require microchips for ordinary pets, but any dog or animal formally declared potentially dangerous or vicious must carry a permanent implanted microchip registered with the animal services department. Skipping it keeps the animal on the city's dangerous-animal enforcement list indefinitely.
Rancho Cucamonga Microchip Rules
Significant RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga, CA, Municipal Code § 6.04.050(E)
Permanent Identification of Animal. The owner or custodian of the animal shall provide a permanent identification by means of an implanted microchip that shall be registered with the animal services department. A photograph of the animal shall be kept on record for identification, in addition to registration as a dangerous animal or vicious animal.
Pet Groomer Rules
Rancho Cucamonga's Development Code classifies pet grooming as "animal sales and grooming," requiring the entire operation, including bathing, trimming and any boarding, to be conducted inside an enclosed building with no outdoor use. Boarding is capped at 72 hours; hold an animal longer and the business is reclassified as a kennel, which triggers separate zoning standards and, in most zones, a different permit.
Rancho Cucamonga Pet Grooming Business Rules
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga, CA, Development Code Sec. 17.32.020(E)(4) (Animal Sales and Grooming Use Classification)
Animal sales and grooming. 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. Boarding for periods longer than 72 hours is considered a kennel.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Rancho Cucamonga's Development Code defines a "veterinary facility" as a primarily enclosed use with only the cage space needed for animals requiring acute medical or surgical care, plus accessory outdoor space for long-term care. Grooming and boarding are permitted only as accessory activities, not as the facility's main business, separating vet clinics from stand-alone groomers and kennels under the zoning code.
Rancho Cucamonga Veterinary Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsRancho Cucamonga, CA, Development Code Sec. 17.32.020(E)(29) (Veterinary Facility Use Classification)
Veterinary facility. Veterinary facility that is primarily enclosed, containing only enough cage arrangements as necessary to provide services for domestic and exotic animals requiring acute medical or surgical care with accessory outdoor use that provides long-term medical care. Grooming and boarding of animals is allowed only if accessory to the facility use.
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rancho Cucamonga city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Bernardino County →