Animal Ordinances in San Diego, CA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
San Diego permits up to 5 chickens (hens only, no roosters) on single-family lots under SDMC Section 42.0709. Coop must be in the rear yard, 5 feet from side property lines and 13 feet from rear. Larger livestock (goats, sheep) allowed on lots of 1 acre or more with additional setbacks.
San Diego Chickens & Livestock Regulations
Some RestrictionsSDMC § 42.0709 (Animals and Poultry)
Chickens may be kept and maintained on a property of a single-family residence, a community garden or a retail farm in accordance with the following: No roosters are permitted. Up to five chickens may be kept when the coop is located outside of all required setbacks. Up to 15 chickens may be kept when the coop is located 15 feet from all property lines and outside of all required setbacks, whic...
Dog Leash Laws
SDMC Section 62.669 requires dogs to be under control at all times. Dogs must be on a leash of 6 feet or less on all public property. Off-leash dogs are considered 'at large' and subject to citation. Designated off-leash dog parks are available throughout the city.
San Diego Dog Leash & Control Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
San Diego does not impose breed-specific legislation (BSL). No dog breeds are banned. California state law (Food & Agriculture Code Section 31683) preempts local breed-specific bans. Dogs are regulated based on individual behavior, not breed. Dangerous/vicious dog declarations apply to any breed.
San Diego Dog Breed Regulations
Few RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. 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
San Diego allows 1-2 beehives on residential property per SDMC Chapter 4, Article 4, Division 4. Hives must be outside setbacks or 15 feet from property lines. A 6-foot barrier is required unless hives are 8+ feet above ground. Registration with County Agriculture Department required (no City permit).
San Diego Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsSDMC Chapter 4, Article 4, Division 4 (Beekeeping)
In 2012, the City of San Diego amended its Municipal Code to allow residents of single-family homes, community gardens and retail farms to keep and maintain two beehives. The specific regulations are in Chapter 4, Article 4, Division 4 of the Municipal Code [...]. Summary of Regulations: A beekeeper shall register the apiary with the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner within 30 days of ...
Exotic Pets
San Diego restricts ownership of certain exotic and dangerous animals. Monkeys, alligators, poisonous reptiles, and other dangerous or invasive species are prohibited or require special permits. California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (CA Code of Regulations Title 14, §671) broadly restrict possession of wild animals. A maximum of six dogs and cats combined per household applies in residential areas.
San Diego Exotic Animal Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 671 (CDFW Restricted Species)
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in 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 a...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wildlife in San Diego is discouraged and may be cited as a nuisance. It is illegal to feed or care for stray animals without notifying authorities. California Fish and Game Code protections apply to native wildlife. The City's urban-wildland interface with canyons creates frequent wildlife encounters with coyotes, raccoons, and raptors. Handling wild animals without proper permits is prohibited.
San Diego Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in San Diego is addressed through the municipal code animal keeping limits and San Diego Humane Society enforcement. The Humane Society serves as the city's animal services provider.
San Diego Animal Hoarding Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
SDMC §44 limits a residence to a combined total of six dogs and cats over four months old. Owners exceeding the cap must obtain a kennel or cattery permit through zoning review, with stricter rules in higher-density and multifamily zones.
Six dogs or cats per dwelling unless kennel permitted
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
San Diego does not require leashes for cats but requires rabies vaccination once a cat is over four months old, and any cat off the owner's property may be impounded if found at large under SDMC Chapter 4 Article 4.
Cats licensed, vaccinated for rabies; no leash law citywide
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
San Diego does not impose blanket mandatory spay/neuter, but SDMC §44.04 charges sharply higher license fees for unaltered dogs and requires breeding permits. The 2008 ordinance pushed sterilization through fee structure rather than outright mandate after political pushback.
Unaltered dogs and cats need permit; differential license fees apply
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Under SDMC §44.0403, every dog or cat licensed in San Diego must be implanted with a registered microchip and the registry data kept current. California Food and Agricultural Code §31108 also requires shelter chipping before any animal is released to an adopter.
Licensed dogs and cats must carry registered microchip in San Diego
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
San Diego follows a coyote coexistence approach. Animal Services urges hazing and attractant removal. SDMC §44 prohibits feeding wildlife. California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules forbid relocating healthy coyotes; depredation permits are reserved for confirmed-aggressive animals.
Coexistence policy: haze coyotes, no relocation, feeding banned
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
SDMC §44.0501 bans retail sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits in San Diego, predating California AB-485. Pet stores may offer these animals only if sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues, with paperwork verifying source.
Pet stores may sell only shelter or rescue dogs, cats, rabbits
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Animal Ordinances in San Diego County →