Animal Ordinances in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Up to thirteen fowl of any kind may be kept without a permit; pigs, bulls, and billy goats require a permit and must stay at least 300 feet from any residential or commercial district.
Animals: Chickens Livestock
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code §§ 4.04.090, 4.04.100, 4.04.110
§ 4.04.090. Fowl. No person shall keep more than thirteen fowl of any sort within the City, unless such person shall have first obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do. § 4.04.100. Hogs, bulls or billy goats. No person shall keep any pigs, bulls, or billy goats within the City unless such person first shall have obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do and ...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs on any public property must be restrained by a leash of six feet or less in fixed length, held by a competent person, or confined in an automobile.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.04.155
§ 4.04.155. Dogs on public property. (a) No person having control, charge or custody of any dog shall permit the dog to be upon any public property, unless the dog is in the custody and control of a competent person and either: (1) Confined in an automobile; or (2) Restrained by a chain or leash six feet or less in fixed length. (b) Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infrac...
Breed Restrictions
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on individual behavior rather than breed.
Santa Monica Dangerous Dog Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 (Local Dog Control - No Breed-Specific Regulation)
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
Beekeeping is allowed only on single-family residential property, limited to two hives, and requires prior registration with the City's Animal Control Office.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.04.130
§ 4.04.130. Bees. (b) General Requirements. (1) Hives may only be maintained on single-family residential property. (2) No more than two hives may be maintained on any single-family residential property. (3) All bee colonies shall be kept in inspectable hives consisting of moveable frames and combs. (5) Any person intending to maintain any bee hive on any single-family residential property with...
Exotic Pets
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 prohibits wild animals, venomous reptiles, and monkeys without a permit from the Animal Control Officer. All snakes, reptiles, non-human primates, arachnids, and birds are banned from City parks, beaches, the Pier, and the Third Street Promenade.
Santa Monica Exotic & Wild Animal Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671(c) (CDFW Restricted Species - Exotic Animal Permit Requirements)
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). Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53; Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 — Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of an existing permit, nonrefundable....
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding animals or birds in Santa Monica parks, piers, the public beach, or designated off-leash areas is prohibited without written authorization from the City Manager.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.04.390
§ 4.04.390. Restrictions upon feeding of animals and birds in specified areas. (a) No person shall feed any animal or bird in or on the area described in Section 3.36.150 of this Code, the Municipal and Newcomb Piers, the public beach, or in any designated off-leash area of a public park, without authorization from the City Manager or the City Manager's designee. (b) No person shall permit any ...
Pet Limits
No dwelling may house more than four dogs over four months of age or more than five cats over four months of age.
Animals: Pet Limits
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.04.145
§ 4.04.145. Limit on number of cats and dogs. A. No person shall keep or maintain in any dwelling more than four dogs over four months of age. A dog that is a service dog shall not be counted toward the number of dogs authorized to be owned, kept, or maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall be found in violation of this Section for keeping or maintaining in a dwelling more tha...
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