Animal Ordinances in Vacaville, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Vacaville, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Vacaville bars roosters, ducks, turkeys, geese, and other livestock or cloven-hoofed animals on any parcel under one acre. VMC § 6.04.040 sets a flat one-acre minimum lot size before these animals can be kept, corralled, or harbored at all.
Vacaville Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code § 6.04.040
Except as otherwise provided in this code, no person shall keep, corral or harbor any cow, horse, ox, mule, donkey, sheep, goat, hog, rooster, duck, turkey, goose, dove, pigeon, peacock, guinea fowl, domestic livestock or other cloven-hoofed animal in the City on any single parcel of property less than one acre in size.
Dog Leash Laws
Vacaville bans dogs from running at large in any public park, school, or commercial district under VMC § 6.04.070, and allows off-leash movement elsewhere only on a leash no longer than six feet or inside a designated off-leash area under § 6.04.080.
Vacaville Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code §§ 6.04.070, 6.04.080
§ 6.04.070. Dogs – Running at large – In parks, schools and business district – Impoundment. The owner or person having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall not suffer or permit such dog, under any circumstances, to run at large in any public park, public square, in any school, upon any school grounds or in any commercial district, as defined by this title or other ordinance. Any ...
Breed Restrictions
Vacaville has no breed-specific dog ordinance. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 prohibits any local breed-discriminatory ordinance that declares a specific breed inherently dangerous or vicious. The City and Humane Animal Services regulate individual dogs through California's potentially-dangerous and vicious-dog process (Food & Ag Code Sections 31601-31683) and through VMC Chapter 6.16 (Dangerous Animals).
Vacaville Breed Restrictions: None - CA Food & Ag Code Preempts
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 31683 (Local Dangerous Dog Programs — No Breed-Specific Regulation)
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
Vacaville requires a Beekeeping Permit from the Community Development Department before anyone keeps a hive on a lot in a Residential district or in a Commercial district where housing is allowed. Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 caps density at two hives per parcel, sets a 20,000-square-foot minimum lot size, and dictates setbacks from property lines, dwellings, and any neighbor with a documented bee-sting allergy.
Vacaville Beekeeping Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code §§ 6.24.030(A)-(B), 6.24.050(A), (B), (D), (H)
A. No person shall keep, maintain or allow any hive of bees on any lot or parcel of land within any Residential District or any Commercial District within the city where residential uses are allowed or permitted without first obtaining a Beekeeping Permit in accordance with this Chapter. ... A. No more than two hives shall be maintained on any property, lot or parcel of land. B. No hive shall b...
Exotic Pets
Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 prohibits wild species from running at large or being pastured/staked in the City. Possession of restricted species (large cats, monkeys, venomous snakes, alligators, ferrets) is controlled primarily by California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671 and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, which requires a Restricted Species Permit. VMC Chapter 6.16 (Dangerous Animals) reinforces the prohibition on possessing any animal another jurisdiction has deemed dangerous, vicious, or a threat to safety.
Vacaville Exotic Pets: State Law Controls; No Wild Animals at Large
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR Sec. 671(c))
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). ... Animal Care (Detrimental Species) $652.25 — Issued to any resident who has demonstrated the experience and ability to house animals designated as a detrimental species, and who legally p...
Pet Limits
VMC § 6.04.220 caps residential households at three dogs or three cats over four months old, and six adult rabbits, on any lot in a residential zoning district. Keeping more without a permitted exception is unlawful and carries a set penalty.
Vacaville Household Pet Limit: 3 Dogs, 3 Cats
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code § 6.04.220
A. It is unlawful for anyone to keep, maintain, board or harbor more than three dogs or three cats over four months old on any lot or premises in residential districts in the City designated in the zoning ordinance (Title 14). B. It is unlawful for anyone to keep, maintain, board or harbor more than six adult rabbits on any lot or premises in residential districts in the City designated in the ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Vacaville has no citywide mandatory spay/neuter law, but VMC § 6.04.230(D) flatly requires every miniature pot-bellied pig to be spayed or neutered, and § 6.16.080(A)(4) lets the Hearing Officer order a declared dangerous animal spayed or neutered as a release condition.
Vacaville Mandatory Spay/Neuter: Pot-Bellied Pigs, Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code §§ 6.04.230(D), 6.16.080(A)(4)
§ 6.04.230. Miniature pot-bellied pigs. ... D. No person shall keep or maintain any male miniature pot-bellied pig that has not been neutered or any female miniature pot-bellied pig that has not been spayed; ... § 6.16.080. Dangerous animals – Disposition. ... 4. Spay or Neuter the Animal. To have the animal spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian and to present proof to the animal contro...
Pet Groomer Rules
Where a Vacaville Animal Shelter and Boarding facility also offers pet grooming, the grooming work area must be physically separated from the facility's animal enclosures and cleaned and sanitized at least once a day. Standalone groomers are zoned as a Personal Services use.
Vacaville Pet Grooming Sanitation Standards
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code § 14.09.270.230(E)(3)
3. If pet grooming services are offered by an Animal Shelter and Boarding facility, the grooming work area shall be separated from the Animal Shelter and Boarding facility's permanent or fixed and temporary enclosures, and the operator shall ensure that the grooming areas are clean and sanitized at least once daily.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Vacaville regulates veterinary clinics as a distinct "Veterinary Services" land use. The code permits them outright in the IS and IP employment districts, requires a conditional use permit in the BP district and in the AG agriculture district, and bars them entirely from the AH agriculture-hillside district.
Vacaville Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsVacaville Municipal Code § 14.02.060.030(B)(3); Table 14.09.080.A
3. Veterinary Services. Veterinary services for dogs, cats, or other household pets. This classification allows 24-hour accommodation of animals receiving medical services and treatment, including animal hospitals, and pet clinics. [Table 14.09.080.A, Land Use Regulations - Employment Zoning Districts:] Animal Care and Boarding ... Veterinary Services / IS: P / IP: P / BP: C
Looking for Solano County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vacaville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Solano County →