Animal Ordinances in Rialto, CA (2026)
8 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
Heavy 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 Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals) requires dogs to be restrained on a leash when off the owner's property and prohibits any dog from running at large in the city. Owners are strictly liable for control of the animal in public rights-of-way, parks, and on other private property.
Dog Leash & Running-at-Large Rules (Rialto Title 6)
Some RestrictionsBreed 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
Few 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
Heavy 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.
Exotic Pets
Exotic and restricted species are primarily controlled by California state law, not local Rialto ordinance. Cal. Fish & Game Code § 2118 and 14 CCR § 671 prohibit private possession of most non-domesticated species (big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders) without a CDFW restricted-species permit. Rialto Title 6 reinforces this by prohibiting wild / dangerous animals as a public nuisance.
Exotic Pets in Rialto
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Rialto has no standalone municipal ordinance banning wildlife feeding, but feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons and other wild mammals is regulated statewide under California Fish & Game Code § 251.1 (harassment) and 14 CCR § 251.3, which prohibits intentionally feeding big game mammals. Attracting wildlife that becomes a public nuisance is independently abatable under Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 / Title 8 (Health & Sanitation).
Wildlife Feeding in Rialto
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Rialto does not have a standalone animal-hoarding chapter; cases are charged under California Penal Code § 597 (animal cruelty) and § 597f (failure to care), combined with Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 (excess animals/public nuisance) and Title 8 (Health & Sanitation). Convicted hoarders are barred from owning animals for 5 years (misdemeanor) or 10 years (felony) under Cal. Penal Code § 597.9.
Animal Hoarding in Rialto
Heavy RestrictionsPet 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.
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 →