Animal Ordinances in Rialto, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Rialto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Roosters and other noisy fowl are prohibited as a public nuisance, and barnyard animals such as pigs, goats, and sheep are not allowed in Rialto's residential zones. Poultry and livestock keeping is permitted only in the A-1 agricultural zone, subject to setbacks and per-acre limits.
Roosters banned; livestock confined to agricultural zones
Some RestrictionsCity of Rialto FAQ, summarizing Rialto Municipal Code Sections 6.04.030, 18.08.020, and 18.10.020
Yes, noisy animals or fowl, such as roosters, are not allowed. Barnyard animals, such as pot bellied pigs, goats, and sheep are not allowed in residential zones. Your animals cannot disturb the peace and quiet of your neighbors.
Dog Leash Laws
Rialto bans dogs running loose in public places without a leash, the only exception being a city-approved off-leash dog park. Owners also must carry waste bags and pick up after their dog on public or private property, with escalating fines starting at fifty dollars for a first violation.
Rialto Dogs Must Be Leashed in Public
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.060
No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises without a leash; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prevent anyone from allowing a dog to be off a leash inside a city-approved dog park. Owners or keepers of dogs shall sufficiently remove and lawfully dispose of any fecal ...
Breed Restrictions
Rialto's municipal code contains no breed-specific restrictions; its dangerous-dog rules in Chapter 6.05 apply based on a dog's behavior. California state law forbids cities from declaring any breed dangerous or vicious and limits breed-specific ordinances to spay/neuter and breeding programs.
No breed bans; dogs judged by behavior, not breed
Some RestrictionsCalifornia 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...
Beekeeping
Bees are a permitted use only in Rialto's A-1 agricultural zone, where hives must be at least 200 feet from any dwelling other than the beekeeper's own. Residential zone permitted-use lists do not include bees.
Beekeeping allowed only in the A-1 agricultural zone
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Section 18.08.020(F)
The keeping of bees provided that no hive or box where bees are kept is nearer than two hundred feet to any dwelling other than the dwelling of the owner of such bees.
Pet Limits
Rialto caps household pets at four weaned dogs and cats combined, and no more than three of them may be dogs. The limit appears in Rialto Municipal Code Section 6.04.240 and the residential zoning rules in Section 18.10.020.
Maximum four pets total; no more than three dogs
Some RestrictionsCity of Rialto FAQ, summarizing Rialto Municipal Code Sections 6.04.240 and 18.10.020(H)(1)
Rialto Municipal Code states any combination of animals as long as you do not exceed four animals or three dogs. That means if you have two cats, you would only be allowed to have two dogs.
Cat Rules
Unlike dogs, cats are written out of Rialto's at-large and stray-animal rules: the code's own definition of "stray animal" excludes cats, and the director's duty to impound loose animals specifically excludes cats found running at large on private property.
Rialto Cats Are Exempt From At-Large Impoundment
Few RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Secs. 6.04.010(B), 6.04.250(A)
"Animal, Stray. "Stray animal" means any animal (except cats) off the premises of its owner, not under restraint, and not in the immediate presence of its owner or person(s) of reasonable responsibility. ... It shall be the duty of the director or his/her duly authorized representative to take up, impound and provide for safe keeping: A.Any animal (except cats) found running at large or upon an...
Microchipping
Rialto has no citywide microchip mandate for ordinary pets, but any dog formally declared "potentially dangerous" by the city's animal control board must carry a nationally recognized microchip registration certificate in its file, along with a current photo, proof of insurance or a surety bond, and a distinct second tag at all times.
Potentially Dangerous Dogs Need Microchip ID
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 6.05.110
Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 6.04 of this title regarding licensing and vaccination, all potentially dangerous dogs shall be properly licensed and vaccinated. A dog determined to be potentially dangerous must have that designation in its registration records plus a current picture, a copy of a nationally recognized microchip registration certificate and either evidence of financial...
Pet Groomer Rules
Rialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.32.020(C)(13) permits dog grooming shops as a matter of right in the C-2 central commercial zone, on the condition that no dogs are kept on the premises overnight. Separately, Section 5.68.070(A) bars animal grooming facilities from operating as home occupations, so a residential-based grooming business is not allowed anywhere in the city.
Rialto Dog Grooming Shops: No Overnight Dogs
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.32.020(C)(13)
Uses permitted are as follows:...C.Any of the following uses:...13.Dog grooming shops, provided that no dogs are kept on the premises overnight,14.Dry cleaning, pressing and dyeing plants using noninflammable and nonexplosive cleaning fluid and employing less than ten persons,...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Rialto permits animal hospitals by right in the C-3 general commercial zone under RMC 18.34.020(B), but requires a conditional development permit for the same use in the Planned Industrial Development zone under RMC 18.40.030(A). Wherever a veterinary office or animal hospital locates, Section 18.58.050(E)(5) requires one parking space for every two hundred fifty square feet of gross floor area.
Where Rialto Allows Animal Hospitals and Vets
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.34.020(B); see also Secs. 18.40.030(A), 18.58.050(E)(5)
Uses permitted are as follows: A.Any use permitted in the C-2 zone;B.Animal hospital;C.Body and fender shop when operated wholly within a building;
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rialto city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Bernardino County →