Animal Ordinances in Santa Ana, CA (2026)
17 verified animal ordinances for Santa Ana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Santa Ana allows up to four fowl (hens only, no roosters) per residential property under SAMC Chapter 5 (Animals). Roosters are strictly prohibited on any residential premises. Fowl must be kept at specified distances from neighboring dwellings.
Santa Ana Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Santa Ana requires dogs to be restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length when on any public property, consistent with Orange County animal control ordinances adopted by reference in SAMC Chapter 5. Dogs must be under the control of a competent person at all times.
Santa Ana Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Santa Ana does not impose breed-specific legislation banning or restricting ownership of any particular dog breed. However, SAMC Chapter 5 (Animals) requires all dogs to be licensed and imposes general dangerous animal provisions that apply regardless of breed.
Santa Ana Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Santa Ana authorizes backyard beekeeping under SAMC Sec. 5-7 on single-family residential properties and in the A-1 agricultural zone. No more than 2 hives are allowed on lots of 6,000 square feet or less. Africanized bees, wasps, hornets, and noxious insects are prohibited.
Santa Ana Backyard Beekeeping Ordinance
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Santa Ana restricts the keeping of wild, exotic, dangerous, or non-domestic animals under SAMC Chapter 5. Permits are required for any exotic or wild animal, and many species are prohibited outright under both city and California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Santa Ana Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Santa Ana discourages the feeding of wildlife including coyotes, pigeons, and other non-domestic animals on public and private property. Feeding wildlife that creates a nuisance or attracts vermin is enforceable under SAMC nuisance abatement provisions in Chapter 18 (Health and Sanitation).
Santa Ana Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in Santa Ana is addressed through animal keeping limits and nuisance abatement. OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 investigates welfare complaints.
Santa Ana Animal Hoarding Regulations
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Santa Ana caps the number of dogs and cats at most residences to prevent kennel-like conditions. SAMC Chapter 6 generally limits households to a small number of each species, with kennel permits required when limits are exceeded for breeding or boarding.
Household Pet Limits in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Santa Ana requires cats four months and older to wear identification and follow nuisance rules. Owners cannot allow cats to repeatedly damage neighboring property, and OC Animal Care impounds at-large cats found running loose throughout the city limits.
Cat Licensing and Outdoor Cat Rules in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Santa Ana follows OC Animal Care policies that strongly encourage spay and neuter, with sharply higher license fees for unaltered dogs. California Food and Agricultural Code section 30503 requires shelters to sterilize dogs and cats before adoption throughout the entire state.
Spay and Neuter Requirements for Santa Ana Pets
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 30503
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), no public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group shall sell or give away to a new owner any dog that has not been spayed or neutered. (b) (1) If a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state certifies that a dog is too sick...
Microchipping
California Food and Agricultural Code section 31108.3 requires shelters and rescues to microchip dogs and cats before transfer to a new owner. OC Animal Care implements this for Santa Ana adoptions and provides low-cost chipping clinics for owned pets.
Microchip Rules for Dogs and Cats in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Santa Ana follows OC Animal Care and California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance to manage urban coyotes through hazing, public education, and removal of attractants. Residents may not feed, trap, or relocate coyotes without state authorization or permits.
Coyote Management and Hazing in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
California AB 485 prohibits pet stores statewide from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from a public shelter or registered rescue. Santa Ana retailers must comply, post sourcing signs at each enclosure, and keep paperwork available for inspection by city or state staff.
Pet Store Sourcing Rules in Santa Ana
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 122354.5
(a) A pet store shall not adopt out, sell, or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. This section does not prevent a pet store from providing space to display animals for adoption in accordance with subdivision (b). (b) (1) A pet store shall not provide space for the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits available for adoption unless the animals are displayed by either a public animal control agency...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming shops in Santa Ana need a business license, must operate in zones permitting personal services, and cannot board animals overnight without a kennel permit. Mobile groomers must pay generator and water-discharge attention under city code.
Pet Grooming Business Rules in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Santa Ana are conditionally permitted in most commercial zones but require additional review when overnight boarding or outdoor runs are proposed. SAMC Title 41 sets parking, sound attenuation, and waste-disposal standards for animal hospitals citywide.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Santa Ana
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code sections 3503 and 3503.5 protect nests of nearly all native birds. Santa Ana property owners must avoid disturbing active nests during tree trimming and may need biologist surveys before larger projects.
Bird Protection and Nesting Rules in Santa Ana
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Rescue Permits
California Fish and Wildlife requires rehabilitators to hold a state permit before keeping injured native wildlife. Santa Ana residents finding hurt birds or mammals should contact OC Animal Care or a permitted facility rather than attempting to nurse the animal at home.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Permits in Santa Ana
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — 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. [...] Wild animals rarely require human help. ...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Ana city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Orange County →