Animal Ordinances in Whittier, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Whittier, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 as its Animal Control Ordinance (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04). Title 10 caps roosters by lot size (only 2 below half an acre, with a 50-foot coop setback) and sets animal-care standards, while where poultry may be kept in the city is governed by Whittier's zoning code, not the animal ordinance.
Whittier Chickens & Backyard Poultry
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
The City of Whittier adopts Los Angeles County Code Title 10 as its Animal Control Ordinance (Whittier Municipal Code Ch. 6.04). A dog must be on a substantial leash no longer than six feet, handled by a person able to control it, while on public property or the common areas of private property.
Whittier Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Neither the City of Whittier nor the LA County Code it adopts (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04) bans any dog breed. LA County Code Chapter 10.37 regulates "potentially dangerous" and "vicious" dogs by individual behavior, not by breed, consistent with California law that prohibits breed-specific bans.
Whittier Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The City of Whittier flatly prohibits beekeeping. Whittier Municipal Code Section 8.20.010 states: "No person shall keep, own or control bees in hives or otherwise in the city." This city ban is stricter than LA County's apiary rules and prevails over them inside the incorporated city.
Whittier Beekeeping Rules
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04). Keeping a "wild animal", defined broadly as a nondomestic, exotic or dangerous animal, requires a wild animal license from the Department of Animal Care and Control, plus enclosure standards. California separately restricts many exotic species statewide.
Whittier Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04). LA County Code Chapter 10.84 makes it unlawful to feed nondomesticated rodents or mammalian predators (with narrow exceptions) and prohibits feeding peafowl on public property, both enforceable in the city.
Whittier Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04). Title 10 makes it a misdemeanor to let livestock run at large and sets care and enclosure standards, but whether livestock such as horses, cattle, goats or sheep may be kept on a given lot is decided by Whittier's zoning code, not the animal ordinance.
Whittier Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Whittier has no separate hoarding ordinance, but the adopted LA County Code Title 10 (Whittier MC Ch. 6.04) addresses hoarding through enforceable per-residence pet limits (3 dogs, 5 cats), animal-facility licensing for larger numbers, and care, sanitation and nuisance standards whose violation is a misdemeanor.
Whittier Animal Hoarding Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 but amends the residential limits in Whittier MC 6.04.050: up to 3 licensed dogs and up to 5 cats (kept primarily indoors) per residence without an animal facility license. The city's zoning code adds its own combined dog-and-cat caps.
Whittier Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Whittier adopts LA County Code Title 10 and, in Whittier MC 6.04.050, allows up to 5 cats per residence kept primarily indoors. Cat licensing is not required within Whittier city limits per the city's Animal Control information, though the county offers a voluntary program.
Whittier Cat Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Whittier city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Los Angeles County →