Animal Ordinances in San Jose, CA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
San Jose Municipal Code Title 7 (Animal Care and Control) requires dogs in public places, city parks, and trails to be on a leash no longer than six feet, replacing the prior 20-foot limit. Dogs four months and older must also be licensed and currently vaccinated for rabies under Title 7, Chapter 7.20. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 30951 authorizes impoundment of stray dogs.
Dog Leash Laws in San Jose
Some RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
San Jose prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife that creates a nuisance or public safety concern, including coyotes, raccoons, deer, and wild turkeys. Feeding can attract predators to neighborhoods near Alum Rock, Almaden, and Silver Creek foothills, and city enforcement actively responds to complaints.
Wildlife Feeding Rules in San Jose
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Dept. of Fish and Wildlife — Keep Me Wild Program
Home / HWC Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Vision: To proactively address human-wildlife conflicts and improve wildlife incident responses; to support safe human-wildlife interactions; and to increase understanding, awareness and appreciation of wildlife in California. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. ...
Animal Hoarding
San Jose pairs SJMC Title 6 pet limits and care duties with California Penal Code §597 to address hoarding. Animal Care and Services responds to welfare complaints, can seize neglected animals, and refers cruelty cases to SJPD and the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.
Animal hoarding investigated under SJMC Title 6 plus state cruelty law
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
SJMC section 6.04.075 caps San Jose households at four dogs and six cats over four months old. Litters and short-term fosters can be exempt under specified conditions. Animal Care and Services issues kennel permits for households exceeding the cap, subject to zoning and welfare standards.
Up to four dogs and six cats per household under SJMC 6.04.075
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
San Jose licenses cats under SJMC chapter 6.04, requires current rabies vaccination, and expects ID on outdoor cats. There is no leash law for cats, but owners must prevent nuisances. Animal Care and Services runs licensing, low-cost clinics, and a community cat program.
Cats need licenses, rabies shots, and ID under SJMC chapter 6.04
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
San Jose requires sterilization of dogs and cats under SJMC chapter 6.06. Owners who want to keep an intact animal must obtain an intact-animal permit with narrow exemptions for licensed breeders, working dogs, show animals, and verified medical reasons. Unaltered pets pay much higher license fees.
Dogs and cats over six months must be sterilized citywide
Heavy RestrictionsMicrochipping
San Jose requires every licensed dog and cat to be microchipped under SJMC chapter 6.06. Owners must keep contact information current with their chip registry. Microchips dramatically improve return-to-owner rates at the city shelter and are scanned on every impounded animal.
Microchips required for licensed dogs and cats under SJMC 6.06
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
San Jose Animal Care and Services follows a hazing-first coyote response under guidance from California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Residents are urged to scare coyotes away, secure trash and pet food, and never feed wildlife. Lethal removal is reserved for documented public safety threats.
Coyote conflicts handled with hazing first; lethal control limited
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
San Jose's Companion Animal Retail ordinance, SJMC chapter 6.86, bars pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits. Stores may only offer animals sourced from public shelters or nonprofit rescues. The local rule predates statewide AB-485, which now imposes a similar standard across California.
Pet stores must source from rescues under SJMC chapter 6.86
Heavy RestrictionsPet Groomer Rules
California does not license pet groomers as a regulated profession, but San Jose groomers must hold a city business tax certificate and any state seller permit. Mobile groomers need vehicle permits. Cruelty laws under Penal Code §597 and consumer protection rules still apply.
Pet groomers need state and city business licenses, not state grooming license
Few RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
San Jose Title 20 zoning allows veterinary clinics in Commercial Neighborhood, Commercial General, and Commercial Pedestrian districts, subject to use permits when boarding or outdoor runs are involved. Residential zones generally exclude clinics; large animal hospitals may need special permits and noise mitigation.
Vet clinics allowed in CN, CG, CP zones under Title 20
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
California Fish and Game Code sections 3503 through 3516 protect almost all native birds, nests, and eggs across San Jose. It is illegal to take, possess, or destroy nests or eggs without a permit. The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and city urban habitat policies add another protective layer.
Native birds, nests, and eggs protected by California Fish and Game Code
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Rescue Permits
California Fish and Game Code requires a CDFW permit to possess or rehabilitate native wildlife. San Jose residents who find injured animals should call the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, the area's permitted rehabilitator, rather than attempting home care. Possessing wildlife without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Injured wildlife handled by CDFW-permitted rehabbers, not the public
Heavy RestrictionsCDFW Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Program
Injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals may be temporarily possessed for rehabilitation by a person in California under a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by CDFW. Trained wildlife rehabilitators provide treatment and care of these animals for the purpose of their release, in a condition of good health, to suitable habitat in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators have an important role...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Santa Clara County →