Animal Ordinances in Vacaville, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Vacaville, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Vacaville allows home chicken keeping as a non-commercial accessory use to single-family residences in agricultural and lower-density residential zones with a 6,000 sq ft minimum lot size. The cap is one adult hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, up to nine hens total. Roosters are prohibited citywide. Other livestock require an agricultural or rural-zoned parcel under Title 14 (Land Use & Development Code).
Vacaville Backyard Chickens & Livestock (VMC Title 14 + Ch. 6.20)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 requires dogs in public places to be restrained by a substantial chain or leash no longer than six feet and under the physical control of a competent handler. All dogs over four months old must be licensed under Chapter 6.08 with proof of current rabies vaccination. Humane Animal Services (HAS) provides animal control under contract at 707-449-1700.
Vacaville Dog Leash Laws (VMC Ch. 6.04 + 6.08)
Some RestrictionsBreed 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
Few 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 Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 requires a Beekeeping Permit from Community Development to keep hives on any lot in a Residential District, or in a Commercial District where residential uses are allowed. Open Space, Agricultural Hillside, Industrial, and non-residential Commercial parcels are exempt if the hive sits more than 150 ft from any dwelling and at least 100 ft from a public street. Apiary registration with the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner is also required under California Food & Ag Code Section 29040.
Vacaville Beekeeping Permit (VMC Ch. 6.24)
Some RestrictionsExotic 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
Some 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...
Wildlife Feeding
Vacaville does not have a stand-alone wildlife-feeding chapter, but California Fish & Game Code Section 251.1 prohibits any conduct that herds, harasses, or pursues wildlife, and California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 251.3 makes it unlawful to feed big-game mammals - including deer, elk, antelope, and bears - throughout California. Local nuisance abatement under VMC Chapter 6.20 backstops feeding that attracts coyotes, raccoons, or other animals onto private property.
Vacaville Wildlife Feeding: State Law Controls Deer and Big Game
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Vacaville does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding ordinance. Instead it caps companion animals at three dogs and three cats over four months old per residential lot (and six adult rabbits), enforces nuisance and cruelty provisions through VMC Chapters 6.20 and 6.16, and relies on California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty to animals) for severe hoarding cases.
Vacaville Animal Hoarding: Pet Caps + Cruelty Law Backstop
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Vacaville Municipal Code limits residential households to three dogs and three cats over four months old per lot, plus six adult rabbits. Higher counts require commercial kennel or cattery zoning under Title 14, or a rural-zoned parcel that authorizes additional animals. Humane Animal Services enforces; complaints typically come through neighbor reports under VMC Chapter 6.20.
Vacaville Pet Limits: 3 Dogs + 3 Cats + 6 Rabbits Per Lot
Some RestrictionsLooking for Solano County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vacaville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Solano County →