Animal Ordinances in Redwood City, CA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Redwood City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Redwood City allows up to three chickens or rabbits (or a combination of three) as pets in a clean, confined coop or cage without a permit. Keeping horses, cows, goats or sheep requires an annual Building Inspector permit, a one-acre minimum lot, and fixed setbacks for stables and corrals.
Redwood City Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Code § 5.26
It is hereby declared to be a nuisance for any person or persons other than a licensed veterinarian and except as specifically provided in this Article, and it shall be unlawful to keep, maintain or feed within confined or unconfined areas live chickens, roosters over four (4) months of age, geese, ducks, turkeys, or similar fowl or rabbits; provided that a maximum of three (3) chickens or thre...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs entering any Redwood City park must be led by a leash no longer than six feet, except in areas officially designated off-leash. Dogs are also barred from sports fields and from within 20 feet of playground equipment, and no more than three dogs per person are allowed in a park at once.
Redwood City Park Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code sec. 25.2.05
No person having the control or care of any dog shall suffer or permit such dog to enter or remain in a park (with the exception of an area so designated as off-leash), unless it is led by a leash of suitable strength. Except as provided in subsections A and B below, provisions of this Section shall not apply to guide dogs, signal dogs or service dogs as such are defined in section 54.1 of the ...
Breed Restrictions
Redwood City does not ban specific dog breeds. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. Dogs deemed dangerous after an incident may face special restrictions including muzzling, confinement requirements, and liability insurance.
Redwood City Dog Breed Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural 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...
Beekeeping
Redwood City requires bee hives to sit at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling under Section 21.7, caps hives at two per parcel of 3,000 square feet or less under Section 21.8, and requires a constant on-site water supply. Section 21.9 makes noncompliant beekeeping a public nuisance subject to code enforcement.
Redwood City Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code §§ 21.7-21.9
A bee hive shall be located a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any dwelling on an adjacent property. All hives shall be provided with an adequate and constant water supply on-site. Parcels of three thousand (3,000) square feet or less shall not contain more than two bee hives. A public nuisance shall be declared when bees are not kept in accordance with this article. Public nuisances are s...
Exotic Pets
Keeping exotic animals in Redwood City requires a use permit from the Planning and Building Department per San Mateo County zoning provisions. California state law also bans many exotic species outright.
Redwood City Exotic Pet Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species
Restricted Species Permit and Native Species Exhibiting Permit Applications Call (916) 928-5846 for application information. Other Applications Restricted Species Permit Amendment Request (PDF) Native Species Exhibiting Permit Amendment Request (PDF)
Wildlife Feeding
Redwood City bars feeding, capturing, hunting, or otherwise harming any wild or domestic bird, fowl, fish, reptile, or animal in a City park under Code Section 25.2.02(I), with an exception only for activity that conforms to federal or state wildlife regulations or permits. The ban covers eggs, nests, and young animals too.
Redwood City Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRedwood City Code sec. 25.2.02
No person shall engage in the following prohibited acts and/or uses in a City park or facility: ... I.Feed, capture, remove, hunt, abuse, molest, injure, frighten, trap, kill, tease or hurt, throw or otherwise project objects at any wild or domestic fowl, animal, reptile, fish or bird or fowl, including the eggs or nest or young of any reptile, wild animal, or bird, except in conformance with f...
Pet Limits
Redwood City caps household pets at four dogs and/or cats combined, with no more than two dogs allowed, on any lot under one acre. Lots of an acre or larger may keep up to four dogs and/or cats total. Licensed veterinarians are exempt.
Redwood City Max Dogs and Cats Per Lot
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code § 5.2
A.It shall be unlawful, and it is declared to be a nuisance for any person or persons other than a duly licensed veterinarian to keep more than four (4) dogs and/or cats, or a combination thereof, but in no event more than two (2) dogs, over the age of three (3) months on any one lot less than one acre in area within the City.B.It shall be unlawful, and it is declared to be a nuisance for any p...
Cat Rules
Redwood City makes it a nuisance for a cat's owner or keeper to let the animal's waste sit on any property besides its own. The owner must remove and sanitarily dispose of the excreta right after it happens, with an exception for guide animals used by the visually disabled.
Redwood City Cat Waste Cleanup Duty
Some RestrictionsRedwood City Code § 5.6
It is unlawful and a nuisance for any owner, keeper or other person in possession of any dog or cat to permit his or her dog or cat to discharge such animal's excreta on any public or private property within the City, other than the property of the owner of such dog or cat, if such owner, keeper or other person in possession does not immediately, after such discharge, remove such excreta from t...
Pet Groomer Rules
Redwood City classifies pet grooming as an "Animal-Related Use" alongside kennels and veterinary clinics. In the Neighborhood Commercial district and every other zoning table that lists it, that use needs a discretionary Conditional Use Permit before a groomer can open its doors.
Redwood City Pet Grooming Zoning Permit
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 2.2 (Animal-Related Uses) and sec. 13.2, Table 13.2
Animal-Related Uses. Any commercial business providing services and care to animals, including, but not limited to, pet day care, pet hotel, kennel, veterinary clinic, animal hospital, and pet grooming. Does not include retail pet stores (see "Retail stores, general merchandise") with no related animal care and grooming services. [Table 13.2 Use Regulations for the CN Zoning District] Personal ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics cannot open by right in Redwood City's general commercial or light industrial districts; both require a discretionary Conditional Use Permit, and any kennel on site must be completely enclosed and soundproofed.
Redwood City Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Zoning Code sec. 15.4
15.4 - Conditional Uses. The following uses are permitted in the CG District subject to first securing a Use Permit: A.Public or quasi-public uses;B.Automobile service stations, cabinet shops, electrical, plumbing, or heating shops, sheet metal shops, upholstery shops, bakeries, creameries, bottling plants, laundries, and cleaning and dyeing establishments, so long as any activities or operatio...
Bird Protection
Redwood City bars feeding pigeons and other non-domesticated animals in Courthouse Square if the feeding encourages them to linger, roost, or congregate, under City Code Section 33A.39(D). The rule targets the plaza specifically to keep the downtown Square free of pigeon flocks drawn in by handouts.
Redwood City Courthouse Square Pigeon Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsRedwood City Code sec. 33A.39
No person shall engage in the following prohibited activities in Courthouse Square: A.Swim, bathe, wade, make contact with or pollute the water of any fountain or body of water;B.Climb or lie upon any tree, shrub, fence, pole, building, construction, structure or fountain;C.Disturb in any unreasonable manner the Courthouse Square kiosk vendors and their customers and any concert, performance...
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redwood City city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Mateo County →