Animal Ordinances in Yorba Linda, CA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Yorba Linda, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Yorba Linda, a historically equestrian city, allows backyard fowl and rabbits for noncommercial use, and horses and cleft-hoofed livestock by right on larger estate-zoned lots. Coops, cages, and animals must stay at least 50 feet from any neighboring dwelling.
Yorba Linda Chickens and Livestock: Zoning-Based Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Yorba Linda adopts the Orange County animal ordinance. Off the owner's property, a dog must be restrained by a substantial chain or leash no longer than six feet and controlled by a competent person. Off-leash play is allowed only at Checker's Dog Park.
Yorba Linda Dog Leash Law (6-Foot Maximum)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Yorba Linda imposes no breed-specific dog ban. California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 bars local dog rules that are specific as to breed. Dangerous dogs are handled individually through the adopted Orange County vicious-dog process, not by breed.
Yorba Linda Has No Dog Breed Ban (State Preemption)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Yorba Linda zoning allows a maximum of three beehives in most residential and open-space zones. Additional hives, or hives in the R-S and R-U zones, require a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission under YLMC Chapter 18.20.
Yorba Linda Beekeeping: Up to Three Hives by Zone
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Yorba Linda adopts the Orange County ordinance, which bars keeping wild, exotic, dangerous, or non-domestic animals without a license. California law separately bans ferrets and many wild species statewide, so most exotics may not be kept as pets.
Yorba Linda Exotic Pets: Wild Animals Prohibited
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Yorba Linda warns that feeding coyotes or other wildlife can be a violation of the municipal code and result in fines. The city's Coyote Management Plan directs residents to secure food sources and never intentionally feed wildlife.
Yorba Linda Wildlife Feeding Prohibited
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Yorba Linda is an equestrian city where horses and cleft-hoofed livestock are allowed by right on estate-zoned lots of 15,000 square feet or more, with counts capped by parcel size and a 50-foot setback from neighboring homes. Smaller lots need a permit.
Yorba Linda Livestock and Horse-Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Yorba Linda has no ordinance using the word hoarding, but its three-pet household limit, kennel-permit requirement, and the adopted Orange County cruelty and welfare rules together let officials act when too many animals are kept in unsafe conditions.
Yorba Linda Animal Hoarding: Limits and Cruelty Law
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Yorba Linda allows three adult dogs or cats per household. Keeping four or more dogs or cats over four months old requires a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission, because that count is treated as a noncommercial kennel under city zoning.
Yorba Linda Pet Limit: Three Adult Dogs or Cats
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Yorba Linda allows three adult cats per household with no leash requirement. Cat licensing through Orange County Animal Care is optional unless a household keeps four or more cats, which requires a permit and a Conditional Use Permit.
Yorba Linda Cat Rules: Three-Cat Limit, License Optional
Few RestrictionsLooking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yorba Linda city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Orange County →