Animal Ordinances in Simi Valley, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Simi Valley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
To keep chickens or other farm animals in Simi Valley, the parcel must be inside the City's Animal (A) Overlay Zone (or the more restrictive Limited (L) Overlay Zone), or must be at least 20,000 square feet with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under Simi Valley Municipal Code § 9-44.060. Roosters are separately capped at four (4) per parcel under the adopted Ventura County Code § 4494-3, with a 40-foot setback from neighboring residences.
Farm Animals Require Animal Overlay Zone or CUP
Heavy RestrictionsVentura County Code § 4494-3 (Rooster keeping), adopted by Simi Valley Ord. 1337; Simi Valley Municipal Code § 9-44.060 (Animal Keeping)
4494-3 - Rooster keeping. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, no person shall keep, maintain, control or harbor five (5) or more roosters on any parcel of real property within unincorporated Ventura County. This Section shall not apply to commercial poultry ranches whose primary commodity is the production of eggs or meat for sale as permitted by the Co...
Dog Leash Laws
Simi Valley requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in any public area. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks within the city's park system.
Simi Valley Dog Leash and Control Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Simi Valley does not have a breed-specific ban. California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 prohibits any local dog-control program from being specific as to breed (except for spay/neuter and breeding requirements under HSC § 122331). The City instead uses the adopted Ventura County 'potentially dangerous' and 'vicious' dog framework (VCC §§ 4470-3 through 4470-17) based on a dog's actual behavior.
No Breed-Specific Ban; State Law Preempts
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 3342(a) (Dog Bite Statute); cf. Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 31683 (preempting breed-specific local programs)
The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he ...
Beekeeping
Simi Valley permits beekeeping on residential properties subject to setback requirements and hive quantity limits. Beekeepers must maintain hives to prevent nuisance conditions and ensure adequate water sources for bees on the property.
Simi Valley Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Exotic and wild animal ownership in Simi Valley is regulated by both state law and the municipal code. California Fish and Game Code restricts many species, and Simi Valley may impose additional restrictions on keeping non-domestic animals in residential areas.
Simi Valley Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 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) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of a...
Wildlife Feeding
Simi Valley discourages and may prohibit the intentional feeding of wildlife including coyotes, deer, and bears. The city's proximity to open space and hillside areas creates frequent human-wildlife interactions requiring management.
Simi Valley Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Under Simi Valley Development Code § 9-44.060 (Animal Keeping), a maximum of four (4) domestic dogs, cats, and/or Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (in any combination) may be kept on a single residential lot in the OS, RE, RVL, RL, RM, RMod, RH, RVH and MH zones. Keeping five or more dogs or cats for commercial purposes constitutes a 'kennel' under the adopted Ventura County Code and requires a county-issued kennel license.
Maximum 4 Dogs, Cats, or Pot-Bellied Pigs Per Lot
Some RestrictionsVentura County Code § 2592 (adopted by Simi Valley Ord. 1337); see also Simi Valley Municipal Code § 9-44.060 (Animal Keeping) for the residential 4-pet limit
2592 - Kennel defined. A 'kennel' within the meaning of this Article means any place or premises where at any given time five (5) or more dogs or cats over the age of four (4) months are kept for commercial purposes. For the purposes of this Section, 'commercial purposes' include boarding, grooming, breeding, training, sale, adoption and related purposes for which some valuable consideration is...
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Simi Valley city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Ventura County →