Animal Ordinances in Temecula, CA (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Temecula, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Temecula lets residents keep poultry and large or small livestock by right, with limits tied to lot size and zoning district. Roosters and crowing fowl are banned citywide, poultry counts range from 4 to 50 birds per acre, and horses or cattle need at least half an acre with distance rules from neighbors.
Temecula Backyard Chickens and Livestock
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA, Municipal Code Table 6.08.010 (Animal Keeping Standards - Poultry and Large Animals, Notes 4-5)
Large Animals (Cattle, Horses and Mules). 0.5 acres. First 0.5 acre - 2 large animals. Each additional 0.5 acre - 1 additional large animal. All zones except LM, HR, HR-SM, and OS/OS-C. ... Poultry5,6 (All poultry to be contained). Greater than 1.0 acre5. Less than 1.0 acre5. LM & M zoned property5,6. 50 poultry/acre. 12 poultry. 4 poultry. All zones except H, HR, HR-SM, and OS/OS-C. ... 5 The ...
Dog Leash Laws
Temecula defines a dog as "at large" any time it is off its owner's property and not on a leash sized to its temperament, held by someone capable of controlling it. Letting a dog roam or run at large anywhere in the city is a chapter 6.04 infraction.
Temecula Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.04.160(H) (Definitions; Unlawful Acts Designated)
"At large" means any dog which is off the premises of its owner, custodian or caretaker and which is not under physical restraint by a leash of a size and material appropriate to the size and temperament of the dog and which is held by a person capable of restraining such dog, or is not otherwise physically restrained by some other device or instrumentality, except that such device or instrumen...
Breed Restrictions
Temecula does not have breed-specific legislation banning any dog breeds. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 prohibits cities from declaring a dog 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' based solely on breed. Dogs deemed dangerous through individual behavior may be subject to restrictions including enclosure, muzzling, and liability insurance.
Temecula Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural Code §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
Temecula allows beekeeping by right on any parcel of at least half an acre in every zoning district except Hillside Residential and Open Space-Conservation. Hives must sit at least 400 feet from streets, schools, parks, day cares, and neighboring homes, and beekeepers must keep fresh water available on site at all times.
Temecula Beekeeping and Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA, Municipal Code Table 6.08.010 (Animal Keeping Standards - Apiaries or Beekeeping)
Apiaries or Beekeeping. 0.5 acres. N/A. All zones except HR, HR-SM, and OS/OS-C. 400 foot minimum setback of all bee hives, apiaries or boxes housing bees from any public streets or highways, day care, educational institution, park, property line to a different ownership, or from any dwelling or place of human habitation other than that occupied by the owner or caretaker of the bees. A source o...
Exotic Pets
California Fish & Game Code §2118 and Title 14 CCR §671 prohibit possession of most non-domestic mammals, large reptiles, primates, and certain birds without a special permit. Temecula follows state law: wolves, large cats, primates, venomous reptiles, and many native species are banned. Common pets like ferrets are also illegal in California. Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and most aquarium fish are permitted.
Temecula Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife - Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR Sec. 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). Entitlements: 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...
Wildlife Feeding
California Fish & Game Code §251.1 and Title 14 CCR §251.3 prohibit feeding big game mammals (deer, elk, bears, mountain lions). Temecula's foothills and Wine Country see frequent coyote, deer, and occasional mountain lion activity, and feeding wildlife, including coyotes, is illegal and dangerous. Bird feeders are generally allowed but should be managed to avoid attracting rats and predators.
Temecula Wildlife Feeding
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) - Human-Wildlife Conflicts / "Keep Me Wild" Program
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit. Vision: To proactively address human-wildlife conflicts and improve wildlife incident responses; to support safe human-wildlife interactions; and to increase understanding, awareness and appreciation of wildlife in California. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California,...
Pet Limits
Temecula caps single-family and multi-family households at any combination of four cats or dogs over four months old, with no minimum lot size requirement. More than that triggers the commercial kennel or cattery permit rules instead.
Temecula Household Cat and Dog Limit
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA Municipal Code Table 6.08.010 (Animal Keeping Standards - Cats and Dogs)
Cats and Dogs | Single-family dwellings | N/A | Any combination of 4 cats or dogs | Any parcel of any zoning designation with a permitted and occupied residential structure on site | N/A (for accessory structure requirements see TMC Title 17) | Only animals over 4 months of age are counted. Multiple-family dwellings | N/A | Any combination of 4 cats or dogs
Cat Rules
Temecula requires every cat over four months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner qualifies for a hobby breeder or unaltered exempt license. Cats in heat must be confined, and letting any cat run at large on public or private property is unlawful.
Temecula Cat Spay, Heat, and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA Municipal Code §§ 6.06.020(C), 6.04.230, 6.12.010 (Control of Unaltered Cats; Female Dogs and Cats in Heat; Animals Running at Large)
In accordance with subsection A of this section, it is unlawful for any person to own, harbor or keep any unaltered cat four months of age or older within the city of Temecula. The city or animal control agency may take steps to mitigate the impact of feral cat populations in compliance with this law which may include spay and neuter services and/or trap and release programs. ... Dog and cat ow...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Temecula requires every dog and cat over four months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered exempt license or a hobby breeder license. Animal Control enforces the mandate citywide, including for feral cats, and violators face infraction penalties or administrative civil action under the municipal code.
Temecula Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law
Heavy RestrictionsTemecula, CA, Municipal Code § 6.06.020 (Mandatory Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats)
No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered dog or cat over the age of four months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility, or obtain an unaltered exempt license or obtain a hobby breeder license in accordance with this chapter. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must have the ...
Microchipping
Temecula requires every dog and cat over four months old to be implanted with an identifying microchip, with the number reported to animal control. Health, athletic-performance, and out-of-city exemptions apply, plus an automatic exemption at age ten.
Temecula Mandatory Pet Microchipping
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA Municipal Code § 6.06.030 (Mandatory Microchipping of Dogs and Cats)
All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the animal control agency and shall notify the animal control agency of any change of ownership of the dog or cat, or any change of address or telephone number. ... A dog or cat over the age of ten years [is exempt from mandatory mi...
Pet Store Rules
Temecula does not ban pet shops from selling dogs and cats, but every pet shop, commercial kennel, and commercial cattery must hold an animal control agency permit and keep monthly sales records naming every buyer and animal sold.
Temecula Pet Shop Permit and Sales Records
Some RestrictionsTemecula, CA Municipal Code §§ 6.04.070, 6.04.080 (Commercial Kennel/Cattery/Pet Shop Permit; Records of Dogs and Cats Sold)
Application for a commercial kennel, commercial cattery or pet shop permit/license shall be filed with the animal control agency... the permit/license shall be issued if the commercial kennel, commercial cattery or pet shop in the opinion of the animal control agency or their designee satisfactorily meets each of the following conditions... The person applying for the permit/license has not bee...
Pet Groomer Rules
A pet grooming shop in Temecula needs the standard city business certificate under the "Pet care" classification, but the rules escalate sharply the moment a groomer boards animals: housing five or more dogs or cats for profit turns the business into a "commercial kennel" requiring a conditional use permit and an annual animal control license.
Temecula Pet Groomer Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsTemecula Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.04.060(A)-(B)
"Commercial kennel" means any building, structure, enclosure, or premises whereupon, or within, five or more dogs four months of age or older are kept or maintained, for financial profit for the purpose of boarding, breeding, training, marketing, hire or any other similar purpose. ... Prior to issuance of an annual license from the animal control agency per Municipal Code Section 6.04.070, all ...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Temecula city rules.
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