Animal Ordinances in San Leandro, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for San Leandro, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 4-11 Article 12 allows up to 4 hens by right on parcels of 4,500 sq ft or more (smaller parcels need an Animal Permit), caps the flock at 10 birds with a permit, and bans roosters. Other livestock (horses, cows, sheep, goats) are prohibited as household animals under §4-11-1100.
San Leandro Chickens (up to 4 hens by right, up to 10 with Animal Permit; no roosters; livestock prohibited)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
San Leandro Municipal Code §4-11-740 prohibits any dog from being 'at large' off its owner's property unless restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and under control of a competent person. Local enforcement reports cite fines up to $400 per violation.
San Leandro Dog Leash Law (§4-11-740 - 6-Foot Leash Required Off-Premises)
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
San Leandro does not impose breed-specific bans or ownership restrictions. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts local breed-specific ordinances that declare a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on breed. The City instead regulates individual dogs through its Article 6 dangerous-dog process in SLMC Chapter 4-11.
San Leandro Breed Restrictions (No BSL - State Preemption Under Cal. Food & Agric. Code §31683)
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683
Food and Agricultural Code - FAC DIVISION 14. REGULATION AND LICENSING OF DOGS [30501 - 31683] CHAPTER 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs [31601 - 31683] ARTICLE 5. Miscellaneous [31681 - 31683] 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 incorpor...
Beekeeping
San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 4-11 Article 14 requires an Animal Permit to keep bees, sets a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet, caps colonies at three (3) hives, prohibits front-yard hives, and imposes hard setbacks: 5 ft from any property line, 50 ft from any dwelling, and a 6-ft solid fence within 30 ft of the hive.
San Leandro Beekeeping (Animal Permit required; 6,000 sq ft min lot; max 3 hives; 5/50/6-30 ft setback rule)
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
San Leandro Municipal Code §4-11-1100 prohibits keeping exotic animals - and any animal not on the household-pet whitelist - inside the city. State law (Cal. Fish & Game Code §2118 and 14 CCR §671) layers a separate prohibition on restricted species like primates, big cats, venomous reptiles, and ferrets.
San Leandro Exotic Pets (prohibited under §4-11-1100; household-pet whitelist only)
Heavy 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
San Leandro has no dedicated municipal wildlife-feeding ordinance, but California 14 CCR §251.3 bans knowingly feeding big game mammals (deer, bear, elk, etc.), 14 CCR §251.1 bars harassing wildlife, and feeding that creates a rodent or vector attractant is enforceable as a public nuisance under SLMC Chapter 1-12.
San Leandro Wildlife Feeding (no dedicated city ordinance; state law bars feeding big game and harassing wildlife)
Some RestrictionsLivestock
San Leandro's Zoning Code (SLMC Article 4) prohibits livestock in all residential zones (RS, RM) including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Backyard chickens and bees are allowed with limits — see the dedicated 'chickens-livestock' and 'beekeeping' subcategories. Swine are prohibited city-wide.
San Leandro Livestock and Farm Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
San Leandro has no standalone hoarding statute, but SLMC §4-11-1100 caps household dogs at two and applies an Animal Permit requirement to additional animals, while California Penal Code §597 (animal cruelty) is the primary tool for prosecuting hoarding that causes neglect, with fines up to $20,000 and up to one year in county jail (misdemeanor) or 16 months to 3 years state prison (felony).
San Leandro Animal Hoarding (Cal. Penal Code §597 cruelty; SLMC dog/cat caps and Animal Permit thresholds)
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
San Leandro limits households to a combined total of 4 dogs and cats on single-family lots. Kennel permit required above that threshold.
Animals: Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Leandro city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →