Animal Ordinances in West Sacramento, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for West Sacramento, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
West Sacramento requires at least one acre of land to keep large livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, or pigs, with per-species density caps and a fenced, screened enclosure set back from neighboring homes.
West Sacramento Large Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.30.060.A.2
Large Domestic Animals. Large domestic animals including horses, burros and mules (family Equidae), domestic swine (family Suidae, excluding potbellied pigs), domestic cattle, sheep and goats (family Bovidae), and American Bison, may be kept in accordance with the following: a. Minimum Lot Size. One acre. b. Maximum Number. i. Beef cows, two years and over, one per acre; ii. Calves ...
Dog Leash Laws
West Sacramento requires dogs in residential, commercial, or industrial areas to be leashed with a lead no longer than eight feet unless a specific exemption applies.
West Sacramento Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 6.16.020
No owner shall permit his or her dog to be in any residential, commercial or industrial area, other than on private property where the dog is maintained by or on behalf of its owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; provided, however, this section does not apply if the dog is (1) assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties, (2) under the contro...
Beekeeping
West Sacramento limits backyard hives to two per parcel outside its AG and RE zones, requires five-foot setbacks from property lines, and mandates a year-round water source to keep bees away from neighbors' pools.
West Sacramento Backyard Beekeeping Standards
Some RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.30.060.B
AG and RE Zones. No limit on number of hives. b. Other Zones. Maximum of two hives per parcel unless otherwise approved with a Minor Use Permit. 2. Hive Location. a. Hives shall be located at least five feet from all property lines. b. Hive entrances shall face away from or parallel to the nearest property line(s). c. Hives must either be screened so that the bees must fly over a...
Exotic Pets
West Sacramento outright bans keeping any wild animal that requires a California Fish and Wildlife permit as a pet, along with roosters, peacocks, and geese, regardless of lot size or zoning.
West Sacramento Wild Exotic Pet Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.30.060.C
Wild, Dangerous, Exotic and Prohibited Animals. The keeping of roosters, peacocks, geese, and any animal which requires a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife pursuant to Section 2118 of the Fish and Game Code is prohibited.
Cat Rules
West Sacramento exempts domestic cats from its at-large and trespass laws, but owners remain liable if their cat damages property or injures a person or animal.
West Sacramento Cat Owner Liability Rules
Light RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code §§ 6.16.010, 6.16.210
No owner of a domestic cat shall permit or suffer such cat to damage property, public or private or real or personal, or to bite, scratch or claw any human being or other animal which is the property of another.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
The City of West Sacramento, Yolo County zones veterinary clinics as a permitted use only in specific commercial zones (CBD, C, MU-NC, MU-C) and two employment zones (M-L, M-1), never by right in any residential district.
West Sacramento Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Some RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.09.020 (Table 17.09.020)
TABLE 17.09.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS—COMMERCIAL AND MIXED USE ZONES "P" = Permitted use "C" = Conditional Use Permit required "M" = Minor Use Permit required "-" Use not allowed Use Classification CBD C CH MU-NC MU-C WF Additional Regulations ... Veterinary Services P P - P P -
Bird Protection
West Sacramento bans hunting, harming or capturing any wild or domestic bird, or taking its eggs or nest, in a city park, per Municipal Code § 12.12.030(M), with no permit exception listed for this rule.
West Sacramento City Park Wild Bird Protection
Heavy RestrictionsWest Sacramento Municipal Code § 12.12.030(M)
Hunt, kill, chase, wound, tease, molest or capture any wild or domestic bird or animal in a park, except chasing or capturing of one's own animal, nor remove or have in his or her possession the young, eggs or nest of any such creature; N. Intentionally remove, break, injure, deface or disturb any material, equipment, structure, building or improvement, nor cut, dig up, pick, remove or destr...
Looking for Yolo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement West Sacramento city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Yolo County →