Animal Ordinances in Union City, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Union City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Union City classifies chickens and other fowl as "exotic animals," so keeping them requires a City Manager permit; letting fowl stray onto a neighbor's property is a separate nuisance violation.
Union City Permit Required for Chickens
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 8.20.010(4), § 8.20.020
"Exotic animal" means any of the following: ... 4. Any chickens, roosters, cocks geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, squabs or similar fowl... No person shall own or keep any exotic animal without first applying to and receiving from the City Manager a permit to do so.
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs cannot run at large in Union City; off their owner's property, they must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under a competent handler's control at all times.
Union City Dogs Must Be Leashed
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 8.12.010
No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large in or upon any public place or premises, or in or upon any private place or premises other than those of the owner or keeper except with the consent of the person in charge of the private place or premises, unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed ...
Exotic Pets
Union City requires a City Manager permit before owning big cats, wolves, primates, venomous animals, large reptiles, or birds of prey and other species listed as "exotic animals" under Chapter 8.20.
Union City Requires Exotic Animal Permits
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 8.20.010, § 8.20.020
"Exotic animal" means any of the following: ... Order Carnivora, expressly excepting the domestic dog, (canis familaris) and the domestic cat (felis catus) but including, but not limited to, the Family Felidae (such as ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and cougars)... Order Primata (including, but not limited to, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas)... No person shall own or keep any e...
Pet Limits
Union City bans keeping any household pets or animals, in whatever number, that cause damage or hazard to neighboring property or generate offensive noise, dust, or odor: no fixed head count, just a nuisance-based standard.
Union City's Household Pet Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 8.40.010
The keeping of maintenance of any household pets or pets or any other kind of animal or animals in such manner, number, or kinds as to cause damage or hazard to persons or property in the vicinity or to generate offensive noise, dust or odor, shall not be permitted.
Cat Rules
Union City's leash mandate in Chapter 8.12 names only dogs; cats are simply "animals" under Section 8.04.020, so there's no cat license or leash rule, though strays can still be impounded citywide.
Union City Has No Cat Leash Law
Light RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 8.04.020, § 8.16.010
"Animal" means any mammal, including but not limited to, horse, cow, goat, sheep, dog and cat. ... It shall be the duty of the City Manager to take up, impound and safely keep any of the animals enumerated in this chapter and found running at large, staked, tied or being herded or pastured in any street, lane, alley, court, square, park or other place belonging to or under the control of the Ci...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Union City allows veterinary offices and small animal hospitals in its Corridor Mixed Use Commercial district only with a discretionary use permit, and boarding must stay indoors.
Union City Veterinary Office Zoning Rule
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.35.030(A)(6)
Veterinary offices and small animal hospitals including short-term overnight boarding of animals for medical purposes and incidental care such as bathing and trimming, provided that all operations are conducted within a completely enclosed building.
Bird Protection
Inside Union City's parks and recreation areas, it's unlawful to hunt, harm, trap, or throw missiles at wild birds, or take their eggs, nests, or young, under Municipal Code § 12.28.110.
Union City Park Wild Bird Protection
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 12.28.110
It is unlawful for any person to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease or shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird, or to remove or have in his or her possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Union City city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alameda County →