Animal Ordinances in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Santa Cruz, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Under Santa Cruz zoning code 24.12.630, family farm animals (including poultry) may be kept only on a residential lot of at least 20,000 square feet - up to two large and ten small farm animals - and never run at large. Enclosures must sit at least 40 feet from a neighbor's dwelling and 20 feet from the owner's property line, and 7+ small animals require an administrative use permit.
Family farm animals allowed only on 20,000+ sq ft lots
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Cruz Municipal Code 24.12.630 (Family farm animals)
In any R-District, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other district, there may be kept on any lot of at least twenty thousand square feet in area, two large family farm animals and ten small family farm animals.
Dog Leash Laws
Santa Cruz §8.14.320 makes it unlawful for any dog owner to permit a dog to be off the owner's premises unless securely restrained by a leash. Dogs at large violate §8.14.310.
Santa Cruz Dog Leash Required Off-Premises
Some RestrictionsSanta Cruz Municipal Code §8.14.320
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not securely restrained by a leash as defined in Section 8.04.010(j).
Breed Restrictions
No Santa Cruz-specific ordinance restricts dogs by breed; California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts breed-specific bans and provides that 'no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed.' Santa Cruz instead regulates dangerous behavior - any 'vicious animal' (defined by conduct, not breed, in SCMC 8.04.010(s)) must be confined and may be ordered muzzled and leashed.
No breed-specific bans; state law preempts
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code 31683
Nothing in this division shall be construed to prevent a city, county, or city and 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 division, or that may punish a violation of this division as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious...
Beekeeping
Santa Cruz IZO §24.12.650 regulates beekeeping (apiaries) in residential and other zoning districts, setting standards for hive setbacks, water access, and number of colonies.
Santa Cruz Beekeeping (Apiaries)
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
California restricts exotic pets through the Fish & Game Code and CDFW regulations — ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal statewide, and many wild/exotic species are prohibited. These restrictions apply in the City of Santa Cruz.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Santa Cruz zoning code (SCMC 24.12.620) allows a maximum of six domestic animals on any residential lot, of which no more than three may be dogs and no more than one may be an unspayed female dog. SCMC 8.14.130 separately bars keeping more than one unspayed female dog per residence.
Max 6 domestic animals per lot; no more than 3 dogs
Some RestrictionsSanta Cruz Municipal Code 24.12.620 (Domestic animals)
In any R-District, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other district, there may be kept on any lot a total of not more than six domestic animals as defined in this title, not more than three of which may be dogs, and not more than one of which may be an unspayed female dog.
Looking for Santa Cruz County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Cruz city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Santa Cruz County →