Animal Ordinances in Westminster, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Westminster, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Westminster caps households at six chickens, and any coop must sit at least fifty feet from a neighbor's dwelling. Horses need at least an acre of land at no more than six per acre, and bees or other livestock require a separate animal control permit.
Westminster Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 6.12.020(B)(2)-(3)
Rabbits, turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens, pigeons, or other domestic fowl, except as to conditions adversely affecting the public; provided, that no person or household shall possess in the city more than six rabbits or six chickens, or more than six fowl at any one time, except newborn under eight weeks of age. Additionally, not more than six chickens may be maintained; provided they are kept ...
Dog Leash Laws
Westminster requires dogs on public property to be restrained on a substantial chain or leash no longer than six feet and kept under the control of a competent handler, under Municipal Code § 6.12.100. Other animals besides dogs and cats must be securely tied and controlled on any public street, alley, or public place. A dog or animal running loose is declared a public nuisance and can be impounded or, in limited cases, destroyed.
Westminster Leash Law: Six-Foot Restraint Required
Some RestrictionsWestminster Municipal Code § 6.12.100
No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any public property unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain, or leash not exceeding six feet in length, and is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over su...
Breed Restrictions
Westminster does not regulate dogs by breed; instead Chapter 6.10 lets police declare any dog "potentially dangerous" or "vicious" based on its conduct. A vicious-dog finding can force confinement, mandatory $200,000 insurance, or a ban on owning dogs for up to three years.
Westminster Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsWestminster Code § 6.10.020
"Potentially dangerous dog" means any of the following: 1. Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person or the dog are on or off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog. 2. Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person cau...
Beekeeping
Keeping bees anywhere in Westminster requires an Animal Control permit under Municipal Code § 6.12.020, and § 6.12.080(C) sets the standard for approval: hives must sit at least two hundred feet from any dwelling unit other than the beekeeper's own, and Animal Control must find that keeping bees will not harm the health, safety, or welfare of the neighborhood. There is no by-right backyard beekeeping allowance; every hive needs an approved permit first.
Westminster Beekeeping Permit: 200-Foot Setback
Significant RestrictionsWestminster Municipal Code § 6.12.080(C)
C. Bees and Beehives. Animal control shall not issue a permit unless it finds that the keeping of bees: 1. Will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood; and 2. Will be housed not less than two hundred feet from any dwelling unit other than that of the bee owner.
Exotic Pets
Westminster bans keeping any wild animal in the city outright. The only exceptions are zoos, licensed veterinary hospitals, a short list of small pets like hamsters and non-venomous reptiles under six feet, and animals covered by a city-issued permit.
Westminster Wild Animal Ownership Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWestminster Code § 6.12.010
It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any wild animal within the city. This section shall not prohibit the keeping of: 1. Wild animals in a bona fide zoo; 2. Wild animals in a bona fide, licensed veterinary hospital for treatment; 3. Any hamster, guinea pig, white rat and/or mouse, turtle, salamander, newt, chameleon or kangaroo rat, any non-venomous reptile (not exceeding six feet ...
Pet Limits
Westminster caps households at three dogs or three cats, or six combined, under Section 6.12.020. A litter of pups or kittens can stay through weaning, but no longer than four months, and any household is capped at six animals over four months old overall.
Westminster Household Pet Limit: 3 Dogs, 3 Cats
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 6.12.020(B)(1)
Dogs, cats, parrots, canaries, parakeets, or other household birds or household pets, except as to conditions adversely affecting the public; provided, that no person or household shall possess in the city more than three dogs or three cats at any one time or an aggregate of six, with the exception that should a female dog or cat have a litter of pups or kittens, then the owner of such female a...
Pet Store Rules
Every pet shop in Westminster must hold an Animal Control permit on top of its standard business license before opening, under Municipal Code § 6.12.030. Animal Control can inspect the shop at any reasonable time as a condition of that permit, specifically to guard against unhealthy conditions for the animals sold. There is no citywide ban on retail sales of dogs or cats: pet shops operate under licensing and inspection, not a puppy-mill prohibition.
Westminster Pet Shop Permit and Inspection Rule
Some RestrictionsWestminster Municipal Code § 6.12.030
In addition to obtaining a business license, all pet shops in the city shall apply to animal control for a pet shop permit. No owner of a pet shop shall operate a pet shop unless and until a permit has been issued. A permit fee shall be charged to every pet shop owner to be paid in amount as specified by resolution adopted by the city council. Because of the need to protect animals in pet shops...
Pet Groomer Rules
Westminster requires every animal grooming business to hold a permit from Animal Control before it can operate, on top of the city's standard business license, under Municipal Code § 6.12.040. Animal Control may inspect a grooming shop at reasonable times as a condition of that permit, specifically to protect animals from unhealthy conditions. Operating a grooming business before the permit issues is unlawful, and the fee is set by city council resolution rather than a fixed dollar figure.
Westminster Animal Grooming Business Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWestminster Municipal Code § 6.12.040
In addition to obtaining a business license, all animal grooming businesses in the city shall apply to animal control for a permit. No owner of an animal grooming business shall operate an animal grooming business unless and until a permit has been issued. A permit fee shall be charged to every pet shop owner to be paid in an amount as specified by resolution adopted by the city council. Becaus...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Westminster requires animal boarding facilities, pet day cares, veterinary clinics, and animal hospitals to operate entirely inside an enclosed building, with dog pens, runs, or shelter structures set back at least 100 feet from a neighboring dwelling, 50 feet from a shared property line, and 100 feet from any public street under Section 17.400.025.
Westminster Sets Siting Rules for Kennels and Vet Clinics
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 17.400.025.B
B. Operational Standards 1. All operations must be conducted within a completely enclosed building. 2. No pens, runs, buildings, or structures used for the confinement or shelter of dogs shall be closer than 100 feet to any existing dwelling on an adjacent property. 3. No pens, runs, buildings, or structures used for the confinement or shelter of dogs shall be closer than 50 feet to any propert...
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