Animal Ordinances in San Ramon, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for San Ramon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
San Ramon lets residential lots of 6,000 square feet or more keep up to five hens, no roosters, if the property has direct access to a private yard. Coops must sit in the backyard, meet the home's setback, and stand no taller than six feet under Municipal Code § D4-73.
San Ramon Backyard Chicken Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code §§ D4-72, D4-73
This Chapter provides standards for the raising of chickens (hens only, roosters are prohibited) for personal and non-commercial purposes within applicable residential properties... A. Permitted Areas. The raising of chickens is permitted within residential properties with a lot size of 6,000 square feet or greater and have direct access to a private yard. B. Number of Hens. Up to five (5) hens...
Dog Leash Laws
San Ramon requires every dog, cat, or other animal brought into a city park facility to stay leashed and under an owner's full control at all times, per Municipal Code Section B5-27(D). Dog owners must also immediately remove and dispose of their dog's waste from any public street, sidewalk, park, or parkway. Violations are infractions punishable by fine under Section B5-32.
San Ramon Dog Leash Requirements
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § B5-27(D), (G)
No person shall: ... D. Bring into or maintain in or upon any park facility any dog, cat or other animal unless such animal at all times is kept on a leash and under full control of its owner or custodian; provided, however, the director may designate areas and times within which persons may show, demonstrate or train unleashed animals under full control of their owners or custodians; ... G. No...
Breed Restrictions
San Ramon follows California Food & Agricultural Code §31601-31683 for dangerous dog determinations, which are strictly behavior-based. No breed-specific bans are permitted statewide. Contra Costa County Animal Services conducts investigations and hearings. Owners of declared dangerous dogs face confinement, insurance, and registration requirements.
Animals: Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 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 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 ...
Beekeeping
San Ramon allows hobby beekeeping on residential lots of at least 6,000 square feet in the RS, RC, HR and RE zones. Municipal Code Section D4-86 caps hives by lot size, sets rear and side setbacks with a 6-foot height limit, and requires a flyaway barrier near neighboring structures.
San Ramon Backyard Beekeeping Standards
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D4-86
A. Permitted Areas. Beekeeping and Apiaries for personal purposes as a hobby are permitted within residential properties on lots of at least 6,000 square feet and with access to a private yard within the Single-Family Residential (RS), Rural Conservation (RC), Hillside Residential (HR), and Residential Estate (RE) zones. B. Number of Hives. Up to two hives are allowed on a lot of at least 6,000...
Exotic Pets
San Ramon prohibits exotic and wild animals as pets, with regulation primarily governed by California Fish and Game Code §2118 which bans private possession of dangerous wildlife statewide. Prohibited animals include big cats, primates, bears, venomous reptiles, and most non-native wildlife. Permitted small exotics (certain reptiles, birds) are subject to general pet nuisance rules.
Animals: Exotic Pets
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...
Pet Groomer Rules
San Ramon's Unified Development Ordinance treats a pet grooming shop as 'Animal Services, Grooming,' a use allowed outright in the Community Commercial zone but banned in Office Administrative, Thoroughfare Commercial, and Regional Commercial. Office Limited requires a discretionary Minor Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator, while Mixed Commercial and all five mixed-use zones need only a Zoning Clearance.
San Ramon Pet Groomer Zoning Permits
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D2-19, Table 2-8
TABLE 2-8 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Office & Industrial Zones ... P Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance may be required prior to operation ... MUP Minor Use Permit required ... ZC Zoning Clearance required ... — Use not allowed ... PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT ... OA OL CC CT CR MC ... SERVICES – GENERAL ... Animal services – Grooming — MUP P ...
Bird Protection
San Ramon's Tree Removal Permit review must protect active bird nests. Section D5-11.C.3 forces denial of a permit to remove a protected tree containing an active nest of a species covered by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act until a qualified professional confirms safe relocation, or nesting is complete.
San Ramon Bird Nest Tree Protection
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D5-11(C)(3)
C. Considerations for denial of a Tree Permit. A Tree Removal Permit shall be denied if the review authority finds that any one of the following situations exists... 3. The tree to be removed contains an active nest of a bird covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, that has been identified through the project environmental review process or that is otherwise known to the review authority, and...
Looking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Ramon city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Contra Costa County →