Animal Ordinances in Santa Clara, CA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Santa Clara's General Code caps backyard fowl and livestock at six animals per property under § 6.15.070(a), covering chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, hogs and bovine or equine animals in any combination. Keeping any such animal within fifty feet of a neighbor's dwelling needs a housing-coordinator permit under § 6.15.020, and no rooster over four months old may be kept outside a commercially zoned operation under § 6.15.025.
Santa Clara Backyard Chicken and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.15.070(a) (Quantity of animals)
Not more than six animals, in all, including hares, rabbits, guinea pigs, feline, bovine, sheep, hogs, goat, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, game birds, or other fowl or any combination thereof shall be kept on any premises within the city, unless the premises involved are operating on a commercial basis in conformance with existing zoning regulations and State statutes governing their operati...
Dog Leash Laws
Santa Clara's General Code requires every dog owner to keep the dog under physical restraint on a leash no longer than six feet, or confined behind a fence of reasonable height, under Municipal Code § 6.30.010. Guide dogs, service dogs in training, trial and exhibition dogs, and dogs assisting security or law enforcement are exempt, and posted off-leash areas carry their own separate conditions under § 6.30.120.
Santa Clara Dog Restraint and Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.30.010 (Restraint of dogs)
The owner of any dog shall keep and maintain such dog under their own physical restraint by use of a leash not to exceed six feet in length, or shall keep such dog sufficiently confined behind a fence of reasonable height. This section shall not apply to the following: (a) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties or service dogs in formal training programs; (b) Dogs partic...
Breed Restrictions
Santa Clara does not restrict dog ownership by breed due to California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preemption, but may declare specific dogs dangerous based on individual behavior.
Santa Clara Dog Breed Restrictions
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural Code Section 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
Santa Clara's General Code caps backyard beekeeping at two hives per lot without written City Manager consent for more, under § 6.28.030. Hives must sit at least ten feet from a side property line and twenty feet from a neighboring dwelling or public road, must be registered with the Santa Clara County Agriculture Commission, and moving an apiary into the city requires five days' written notice to the City Manager under § 6.28.010.
Santa Clara Beehive and Apiary Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.28.030 (Keeping and maintenance of apiaries)
No person shall keep or maintain any hive of bees in the city except under the following conditions: (a) No more than two hives may be maintained on any lot or parcel, unless the City Manager, in his or her sole discretion, consents in writing to a higher amount. ... (c) The owner's name, address, and location of all such hives must be registered with the office of the Santa Clara County Agricu...
Exotic Pets
Santa Clara prohibits exotic and wild animals as pets under California Fish and Game Code Section 2116-2126 and City Code Chapter 6.10; violations carry fines up to 1,000 dollars.
Santa Clara Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR § 671)
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). ... Animal Care (Detrimental Species) $652.25. Issued to any resident who has demonstrated the experience and ability to house animals designated as a detrimental species, and who legally po...
Pet Limits
Santa Clara caps most households at three adult dogs and cats combined, over four months old, at any one street address, under Municipal Code § 6.30.020. Only one unspayed female dog or cat is allowed per address, and no more than one litter per calendar year may be raised there, though licensed veterinarians, pet shops, kennels, shelters and permitted menageries are exempt.
Santa Clara Household Dog and Cat Limit
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.30.020 (Maximum number of dogs, cats or litters)
(a) No person shall keep or maintain more than a total of three adult dogs and/or cats (any combination) over four months of age, at any street address. (b) No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female dog or one unspayed female cat, at any street address. (c) A female dog or cat shall be rebuttably presumed to be unspayed, unless the owner provides evidence of spaying. Writte...
Cat Rules
Santa Clara's General Code requires every cat over four months old to be licensed under Municipal Code § 6.30.040, with narrow exceptions for nonresidents keeping a cat in the city under thirty days a year and cats visiting for a show or event of ten days or less. Licensing requires proof of a current anti-rabies vaccination under § 6.30.030, and license fees are set by City Council resolution under § 6.30.050.
Santa Clara Cat Licensing and Vaccination Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.30.040 (License required)
No person shall maintain or board any cat or dog four months of age or older that has not been licensed pursuant to the provisions of this title, except: ... A license shall not be required for an animal owned or under the control of a nonresident of the City that is to be kept in the City for less than thirty (30) days in any twelve (12) month period. ... A license shall not be required for ca...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Santa Clara Municipal Code § 6.10.100 requires that any dog or cat impounded twice or more from the same owner during the animal's lifetime be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense before it can be redeemed. Owners keep the right to choose their own veterinarian, though the impounding agency can control transportation to that vet, and owners can request a hearing under § 6.10.060 to contest the order.
Santa Clara Mandatory Sterilization After Repeat Impound
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Municipal Code § 6.10.100 (Mandatory sterilization for multiple impounds)
Any unsterilized dog or cat impounded twice or more from the same owner within the lifetime of the animal shall be sterilized at the owner's expense prior to redemption. At the option of the owner, a private veterinarian may perform the required spaying or neutering. The impounding agency may require that transportation to a private veterinarian be performed by the impounding agency. The owner ...
Microchipping
Santa Clara does not require microchips for pets generally, but a dog formally classified as "dangerous" after a City hearing must have a microchip implant for identification as one of a strict set of confinement and control conditions. Failure to comply can lead to seizure of the dog.
Santa Clara Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 6.30.150(a)(4) (Restrictions of dogs designated as "dangerous")
(4) The dog shall have a microchip implant for identification purposes.
Pet Store Rules
Santa Clara does not ban retail pet sales outright, but it heavily conditions them: dogs and cats can't be sold under eight weeks old, sellers must give buyers written health and licensing disclosures, and sales are restricted to permitted pet shops, kennels and animal shelters or private residences.
Santa Clara Pet and Dog/Cat Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 6.45.010(a) (Sale of cats or dogs)
(a) No person or establishment other than a licensed or County-operated animal shelter shall sell, exchange or barter any cat or dog less than eight weeks of age. Proof of age of the dog or cat may be required by the Administrator. Proof of age may include but not be limited to a certification by a licensed veterinarian attesting to the animal's age.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Santa Clara requires a Minor Use Permit for veterinary facilities in the C-C commercial zone and a Conditional Use Permit in C-R, and bars them outright from the C-N neighborhood commercial zone, under Title 18's commercial use table.
Santa Clara Veterinary Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 18.12, Table 2-8; § 18.160.220
Table 2-8 Commercial Zones Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements ... Land Use (see Article 8 for land use definitions). C-N C-C C-R Additional Regulations ... Veterinary Facilities - MUP CUP ... 18.160.220 - "V" Definitions ... Veterinary Facility. A place where domestic animals or household pets are given medical or surgical treatment and are cared for during the time of treatment. Use as a ken...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.
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