Animal Ordinances in West Covina, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for West Covina, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
West Covina lets any single-family residential lot keep up to six poultry or fowl, but roosters are prohibited citywide. Bigger livestock, bovine animals, sheep, goats and horses, is confined to R-A zoned parcels of at least 20,000 square feet under sliding scale ratios tied to lot size.
West Covina Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Development Code Sec. 26-111 (Animal keeping), adopted by Ord. No. 2519
(a)Household pets. Provided that not more than three (3) adult dogs or four (4) adult cats, one (1) miniature potbellied pig or a combination of three (3) such animals may be kept on any lot unless a conditional use permit has been granted authorizing the development, maintenance, and operation of a hobby kennel on the lot.(b)Poultry and fowl provided that not more than six (6) birds are mainta...
Dog Leash Laws
West Covina requires any cat, dog or other domestic animal in a public park or public place to be on a leash no longer than six feet and in the hands of someone able to control it, plus proof of current licensing, under Municipal Code Section 16-25. Guide dogs, law enforcement dogs, and permitted group activities are exempt.
West Covina Park Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 16-25 (Domestic animals)
(a)No person having custody of a cat, dog or other domestic animal shall allow such animal in any public park or public place without the ability to produce evidence that the animal is currently licensed as required by any other provision of law and unless such animal is restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and is in the charge of a person competent to restrain...
Breed Restrictions
West Covina does not have breed-specific legislation. CA Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 generally preempts local breed bans. Dangerous dog laws focus on individual behavior.
West Covina Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 (Local control of dangerous dogs; breed-specific prohibitions), Division 14, Chapter 9, Article 5
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
West Covina allows beekeeping in every residential zone only with an Administrative Permit with Hearing (APH) under Table 2-2 of the Development Code, a discretionary process that requires Community Development Director findings on compatibility, site adequacy, and neighborhood impact before a hive can go in.
West Covina Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Development Code Sec. 26-45(a), Table 2-2 (Beekeeping - APH Required, All Residential Zones); Sec. 26-238(a)(1) (Administrative Permit with Hearing Findings), Article II Division 1; Article VI Division 6
Table 2-2 Uses and Permit Requirements: APH - Administrative Permit w/ Hearing - Article VI, division 6; article VI, division 1. ... Beekeeping APH APH APH APH APH APH [R-A, R-1, MF-8, MF-15, MF-20, MF-45]. ... The approval of all administrative permit shall be based on the findings as required by the code section pertaining to the requested use or the following:a.That the proposed use at the p...
Exotic Pets
West Covina regulates exotic and wild animal keeping under Chapter 6 and defers to California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 CCR Section 671 for restricted species. Wild, dangerous, or exotic animals are generally prohibited in residential zones without permits.
West Covina Exotic Pet Regulations
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife, Restricted Species Licensing program, implementing California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 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). ... 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, nonrefund...
Pet Limits
West Covina caps most households at three dogs and four cats. Municipal Code Sec. 6-5(d), rewriting county rule 10.20.038, makes it unlawful to keep more without an animal facility license from the city, though a qualifying service dog is not counted toward the three-dog cap.
West Covina Dog and Cat Household Limits
Some RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-5(d) (Sec. 10.20.038, Residential dogs and cats - Limitations)
A. Dogs. It is unlawful to keep more than three (3) dogs at any residence without an animal facility license. Each dog must be licensed. For purposes of this section, a service dog licensed under section 10.20.090 and serving a person who is disabled within the meaning of California Government Code section 12926 subsection (i) or (j) is not counted toward the number of dogs kept or maintained. ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
West Covina adopted Los Angeles County's Title 10 Animal Control Code as its own ordinance in 2017, but City Council Sec. 6-5(b) specifically strikes Part 4, the county's Mandatory Spay and Neuter Program for Dogs and Cats, from that adoption. Pet owners in West Covina face no local sterilization mandate; the county's program is not enforced within city limits.
West Covina Excludes Mandatory Spay/Neuter Program
Few RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-5(b)
Part 4 (Mandatory Spay and Neuter Program for Dogs and Cats) of Title 10 is excluded from the city's adoption of Title 10 and shall not be enforced within the city.
Pet Store Rules
West Covina requires any pet store selling dogs at retail to hold a city permit under Municipal Code Section 14-133, renewed annually. The permit does not replace a state seller's permit or health department approval, and small-scale dog breeders who sell fewer than fifty dogs a year, along with public pounds and humane societies, are exempt under Section 14-135.
West Covina Pet Store Dog Sale Permit
Significant RestrictionsWest Covina, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 14-132, 14-133 (Pet store definitions; permit required)
Pet store means every person, place or premises engaging in the business of selling dogs, at retail, and by virtue of the sales of dogs is required to possess a permit pursuant to Section 6066 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 122125. ... (a)It is unlawful for any person, to engage in, conduct, or carry on or to permit to be engaged in, co...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement West Covina city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Los Angeles County →