Animal Ordinances in South Gate, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for South Gate, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
South Gate bans keeping livestock, cattle, goats, hogs, sheep, horses, loose or tied in streets and requires them penned, corralled, or securely chained on private property.
South Gate Livestock At-Large Ban
Some RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.01.170(7)
No person owning any ox, steer, bull, cow, goat, hog, pig, sheep, horse, colt, mule, jack, jenny, hinny, fowl or any animal commonly referred to as a wild specie shall permit such animal to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place in the city; or cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any street, lane, alley, park or othe...
Dog Leash Laws
South Gate requires dogs off their owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, held by a competent person, or riding in an enclosed vehicle: running at large is banned.
South Gate Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.01.170(1)-(2)
No person owning any dog shall cause, permit or allow such dog to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises in the city other than those of its owner. This section shall not apply to any dog being used for law enforcement purposes by any city, state, or county law enforcement agency. 2. Dogs Running At Large Exce...
Beekeeping
South Gate outlaws beekeeping citywide: no apiary, hive, or kept bees is allowed on any residential or commercial parcel, with no exception for small backyard hives.
South Gate Bans All Backyard Beekeeping
Heavy RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.01.070
Apiaries Prohibited. No person shall maintain an apiary, nor keep or permit the keeping of bees, within the city. 2. Penalty for Violations–Each Day As Separate Offense. Any person who maintains an apiary or keeps or permits the keeping of bees on any premises, in the city shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine and/or penalty as set forth in Chapter 1.56 of this code...
Exotic Pets
South Gate doesn't ban wild or vicious animals outright, but no one may keep one, from venomous reptiles to big cats, within city limits without an individual permit from the animal-control director.
South Gate Wild Animal Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.01.120(3)
Except as herein provided, no person shall have, keep, maintain or have in his possession or under his control within the city any wild animal or vicious animal, without first applying to and receiving a permit from the director to do so. 4. Keeping Wild or Vicious Animal Within Or Upon Own Premises. No person owning or having charge, custody, control or possession of any wild or vicious ani...
Wildlife Feeding
South Gate makes it unlawful to feed nondomesticated rodents or predators, including coyotes, raccoons, foxes and opossums, anywhere in the city, with narrow permit and rescue exceptions.
South Gate Wildlife Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.05.020
Except as otherwise provided for herein, no person shall feed or in any manner provide food to a nondomesticated rodent or a nondomesticated mammalian predator. For purposes of this chapter: "Rodent" includes ground squirrels; "Mammalian predators" includes coyotes, raccoons, foxes and opossums.
Pet Limits
South Gate households may keep up to four dogs and four cats, plus their young under four months, without a kennel license; more requires a licensed animal facility.
South Gate Household Dog and Cat Limits
Some RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 7.22.040 (amending Animal Control Ordinance § 10.28.060)
4. Not to exceed four cats and eight young thereof up to four months in age. 5. Not to exceed four dogs and eight young thereof up to four months in age. 6. Not to exceed two ducks. 7. Not to exceed eight small birds or fowl such as canaries, song birds, pigeons, white doves, and birds or fowl of a general like character. 8. Not to exceed two parrots, parakeets, amazons, cockatiels, co...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
South Gate requires SEAACA to spay or neuter shelter dogs and cats eight weeks or older before adoption, or hold a deposit refundable once the new owner proves the animal was altered within 60 days.
South Gate Shelter Pet Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsSouth Gate Municipal Code § 4.01.090(4), (7)(a)
SEAACA shall alter all dogs and cats which are eight weeks of age or older prior to adoption, unless a dog or cat is found to have a medical condition that would preclude surgery, in which case a deposit shall be collected by SEAACA. ... Any dog or cat over six months of age at the time it is sold or given away shall be spayed or neutered within sixty days, or the deposit shall be deemed forfei...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement South Gate city rules.
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