Animal Ordinances in San Francisco, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Keeping horses, cows, goats or other livestock in San Francisco requires a stable permit from the Department of Public Health, with only a narrow family-goat exception.
Stable Permits for Livestock in San Francisco
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code Article 1, Sec. 27
It shall be unlawful to construct and maintain a stable, or to maintain an existing stable for one or more horses, donkeys, mules, cows, goats or livestock without a permit therefor from the Department of Public Health. The provisions of this Section and the provisions of Part II, Chapter I, of the Municipal Code shall not apply in cases where not more than two female goats are kept for the exc...
Dog Leash Laws
San Francisco requires dogs to be restrained by a leash of no more than 8 feet whenever they are off their owner's property, city-wide and county-wide.
San Francisco Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code §§ 41, 41.12(a)
"At large" shall mean any dog off the premises of its owners or guardians and not under restraint by a leash, rope or chain of not more than eight (8) feet in length, and any other animal not under physical restraint... It shall be unlawful for the owner or guardian of any animal, other than a domestic cat, to permit said animal to run at large within the City and County.
Breed Restrictions
San Francisco requires every pit bull in the city to be spayed or neutered, defining the breed by AKC/UKC standards and physical traits.
SF Pit Bull Spay/Neuter Requirement
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code Sec. 43.1
No person may own, keep, or harbor any dog within the City and County of San Francisco that the person in possession knew, or should have known, was a pit bull that has not been spayed or neutered unless: (a) The pit bull is under eight weeks of age...
Exotic Pets
San Francisco prohibits keeping wild and exotic animals as pets under SF Health Code Article 1, aligning with California Fish and Game Code Section 2118 restricted species list. Permits are rarely granted outside of education and research.
Exotic Pet Restrictions in San Francisco
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species Permits (CCR Title 14, Section 671(c))
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). Entitlements/Fees: Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment — New: $155.53; Renewal and Amendment: $80.60. Restricted Species Permit Inspection: 1-5 Enclosures: $319.50; 6-25 Enclosur...
Wildlife Feeding
It is unlawful to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal on a San Francisco sidewalk, street, or highway under Police Code Section 486, with an added citywide ban on feeding Red Masked Parakeets in parks.
San Francisco Feeding Wildlife Ban
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 486
It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal in or on any sidewalk, street or highway of the City and County of San Francisco. It shall be unlawful to feed or offer food to any Red Masked Parakeet in any park of the City and County of San Francisco.
Pet Limits
San Francisco residential properties may keep at most three dogs aged six months or older without a dog kennel permit, and at most four dogs, cats, and similar small animals combined.
Max Dogs and Cats Per Household in SF
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code Sec. 37(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep or feed...within residential districts, (1) more than three dogs of age six months or older without obtaining a proper permit and license to operate a dog kennel...and (2) more than a total of four of the following in any combination: dogs...hares, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, chickens...or cats.
Pet Store Rules
San Francisco pet shops may only offer dogs and cats sourced from an animal care facility or rescue organization, not commercial breeders.
SF Pet Store Puppy and Kitten Sale Ban
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco Police Code Art. 1C, Sec. 1C.2(c)
A Pet Shop shall not Offer for Sale a Dog or Cat unless the Pet Shop has obtained the Dog or Cat from or displays the Dog or Cat in cooperation with: (A) An Animal Care Facility; or (B) An Animal Rescue Organization. (2) A Pet Shop shall not Offer for Sale a Dog or Cat that is younger than eight weeks old.
Bird Protection
San Francisco bans trapping, capturing, killing, or destroying any wild bird citywide under Police Code Section 485, with a narrow public-health exception for nuisance pigeons handled by the Health Director.
San Francisco Wild Bird Protection Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 485
It shall be unlawful for any person to trap, capture, kill or otherwise destroy any wild bird within the City and County of San Francisco, except that pigeons and other wild birds which become a nuisance or a hazard to public health may be trapped or captured, in a humane manner, by, or with the permission of, the Director of Public Health. It shall be the duty of the person who traps or cap...