Animal Ordinances in Thousand Oaks, CA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Thousand Oaks, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Thousand Oaks restricts chickens and livestock based on zoning. Standard residential zones generally prohibit livestock, while rural and agricultural zones may permit them. Limited poultry keeping may be allowed on larger residential lots through the city's zoning provisions.
Thousand Oaks Chickens and Livestock Regulations
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Dogs in Thousand Oaks must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet when on public property. The city provides designated off-leash dog parks at Conejo Creek Park and other locations for off-leash exercise within enclosed areas.
Thousand Oaks Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Thousand Oaks does not impose breed-specific dog bans. California state law (Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683) prohibits local breed-specific legislation. The city enforces dangerous and vicious dog designations based on individual animal behavior through Ventura County Animal Services.
Thousand Oaks Dog Breed Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 (No breed-specific dog regulations)
Food and Agricultural Code - FAC, DIVISION 14. REGULATION AND LICENSING OF DOGS, CHAPTER 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs, ARTICLE 5. Miscellaneous. 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 t...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is subject to LA County Code Title 10 (adopted by reference) and state regulations. CA Food & Agricultural Code requires hive registration with CDFA. Must maintain water source and comply with setback requirements to prevent swarming complaints.
animals/beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
CA Code of Regulations Title 14 §671 prohibits most wild and exotic animals as pets statewide. LA County Code Title 10 adopted by Thousand Oaks prohibits additional exotic species. No local exemptions.
animals/exotic-pets
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 671 (CDFW Restricted Species)
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
Thousand Oaks discourages wildlife feeding due to the city's extensive interface with natural areas including the Santa Monica Mountains. Feeding that attracts predatory wildlife may violate city nuisance provisions and state Fish and Game Code.
Thousand Oaks Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Thousand Oaks limits the number of dogs and cats per household and prohibits keeping animals in unsanitary conditions. Ventura County Animal Services enforces animal cruelty and hoarding cases. Keeping more than the allowed number of animals requires a kennel permit.
Thousand Oaks Animal Hoarding Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Title 6 caps the number of dogs and cats per residence and treats higher counts as a kennel use that requires a permit. Limits prevent nuisance, sanitation, and noise problems on standard residential lots.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Thousand Oaks Title 6 (Animals) requires owned cats over four months to be vaccinated against rabies and identifiable. Conejo Valley Animal Control handles impounds and adoptions. Free-roaming cats causing nuisance may be trapped and surrendered.
Cat Licensing and Free-Roaming Rules
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Thousand Oaks follows Ventura County animal services policy: dogs and cats redeemed from the shelter must be microchipped before release. Owners are encouraged to microchip pets at vaccination to comply with TOMC Title 6 identification rules.
Dog and Cat Microchipping Requirements
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Coyotes are common in Thousand Oaks because of adjacent COSCA open space and Santa Monica Mountains habitat. The city follows Ventura County and CDFW guidance: haze, do not feed, secure pets and trash, and report aggressive coyotes to animal services.
Coyote Encounters and Hazing Guidance
Few RestrictionsBird Protection
Native and migratory birds in Thousand Oaks are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code. Residents cannot disturb active nests, harm raptors, or remove birds during nesting season without authorization.
Migratory Bird and Raptor Protections
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Fish and Game Code Section 3503 (Bird nests and eggs protection)
Fish and Game Code - FGC, DIVISION 4. BIRDS AND MAMMALS, PART 2. BIRDS, CHAPTER 1. General Provisions. 3503. It is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird, except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation made pursuant thereto. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1470.)
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Residents cannot legally keep injured wildlife in Thousand Oaks. Possessing or rehabilitating native birds, mammals, or reptiles requires a CDFW Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. Injured animals should be reported to Ventura County Animal Services or licensed rehabilitators.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Permits
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Program
Injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals may be temporarily possessed for rehabilitation by a person in California under a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by CDFW. Trained wildlife rehabilitators provide treatment and care of these animals for the purpose of their release, in a condition of good health, to suitable habitat in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators have an important role...
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Thousand Oaks city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Ventura County →