Animal Ordinances in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Santa Barbara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The City of Santa Barbara allows residents to keep chickens and other fowl, with numeric limits that scale by zoning. Roosters are banned citywide. Coops must be kept clean and set back from neighboring dwellings, schools, parks, and hospitals.
Santa Barbara Chickens and Backyard Fowl
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
The City of Santa Barbara requires dogs in streets and public places to be on a leash no longer than six feet and under immediate control of the handler. The Police Department's Animal Control unit enforces the rule. Limited off-leash areas exist at posted parks and beaches.
Santa Barbara Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
The City of Santa Barbara does not ban any dog breed. Like all California cities, it regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed. Chapter 6.22 lets the City declare an individual dog potentially dangerous or vicious after a hearing, with conditions such as muzzling, secure enclosure, or insurance.
Santa Barbara Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The City of Santa Barbara regulates beekeeping under its Title 6 animal control code. Statewide, anyone keeping honeybees must register their apiary annually with the Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040, regardless of the number of hives.
Santa Barbara Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Exotic-pet ownership in the City of Santa Barbara is governed primarily by California state law, which bans possessing many wild and exotic species without a state permit. Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and most monkeys are illegal to keep as pets statewide, including within the City.
Santa Barbara Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
The City of Santa Barbara does not publish a dedicated wildlife-feeding ban in its general animal regulations, but feeding wild animals can create a public nuisance and is discouraged. California state law restricts feeding big-game and predatory wildlife, and residents are directed to the County and wildlife groups for injured animals.
Santa Barbara Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
The City of Santa Barbara restricts livestock to large lots. Cows, hogs, sheep, goats, and other hoofed animals (except horses) require a lot of at least 1.5 acres, with a 35-foot setback. Horses are limited by lot size under the zoning code, capped at five per lot.
Santa Barbara Livestock and Hoofed Animals
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
The City of Santa Barbara addresses animal hoarding through its care-and-keeping and nuisance provisions plus California's anti-cruelty law. Keeping animals in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions or neglecting their care can trigger enforcement by the Police Department's Animal Control unit.
Santa Barbara Animal Hoarding and Care
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
The City of Santa Barbara requires licensing for dogs over four months old and for unaltered cats. The City runs its own Animal Control through the Police Department and licenses via PetData, while stray sheltering is handled at the County Animal Shelter.
Santa Barbara Pet Limits and Licensing
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
The City of Santa Barbara requires a license for each unaltered cat over four months old, obtained from the City. There is no leash requirement for cats. Reduced license fees encourage spaying and neutering, and general nuisance rules apply to all animals.
Santa Barbara Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Barbara city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Santa Barbara County →