Animal Ordinances in Yuba City, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Yuba City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Yuba City allows residents on lots of one-half acre or less to keep chicken hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs, or similar small animals — not exceeding a combined total of twelve (12). Two pot-bellied pigs are allowed as pets, but no other hoofed animals on residential lots. Larger livestock requires a use permit on lots over 1/2 acre with 35-ft / 40-ft setbacks.
Chickens & Livestock — Up to 12 Hens (No Roosters) on Lots ≤ 1/2 Acre (YCMC §8-5.5001)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Yuba City requires dogs off the owner's property to be controlled by a leash no longer than eight feet. Animal Services is provided by the Sutter Animal Services Authority (SASA), a Joint Powers Authority covering Yuba City, Live Oak and unincorporated Sutter County.
Dog Leash & Restraint Law (Yuba City Code §4-12.351; Sutter County Ord. §800-220)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Yuba City has no breed-specific ban or restriction on pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts cities from declaring any dog 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' on the basis of breed. Dangerous-dog regulation in Yuba City is enforced behaviorally under state law and Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code.
Breed Restrictions — State-Preempted (Cal. Food & Agric. Code §31683)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Yuba City is one of the more restrictive California cities for residential beekeeping: YCMC §8-5.5001 permits beehives within city limits only on a temporary basis in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation needing pollination of trees within the city. Permanent hobby apiaries on standard residential lots are not authorized. State apiary registration under Cal. F&A Code §29040 still applies to any hive present in the city.
Beekeeping — Only Temporary Hives for Bona Fide Agricultural Pollination (YCMC §8-5.5001)
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
Yuba City does not maintain a local exotic-pet list because California Fish & Game Code §2118 imposes a comprehensive statewide ban on importing, transporting, or possessing wild and exotic mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians without a CDFW restricted-species permit. Common pets banned statewide include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and wolf-hybrids.
Exotic Pets — State-Preempted by Cal. Fish & Game Code §2118 / 14 CCR §671
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Yuba City has an explicit ordinance — YCMC §4-12.480, adopted as Ordinance 002-15 on Feb. 17, 2015 — that makes it unlawful to create a public nuisance by free-feeding any wild animals, including feral cats. Putting out more food than a person's lawfully owned domesticated cats can reasonably eat is prohibited. The ordinance was driven by the city's well-known feral chicken (~1,000 birds) and feral cat population issues.
Wildlife Feeding — Free-Feeding Wild Animals & Feral Cats Prohibited (YCMC §4-12.480)
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
California Penal Code §597 (animal cruelty) and §597.1 (failure to provide care) are the primary tools used against animal hoarding statewide; California does not have a stand-alone hoarding statute. Yuba City Municipal Code Title 4 Chapter 12 sets local licensing and pet-keeping requirements that Code Enforcement and Sutter Animal Services use to identify and intervene in hoarding cases.
Animal Hoarding — Cal. Penal Code §597 / §597.1 Governs; YCMC §4-12 Pet Limits Apply
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Sutter County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yuba City city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Sutter County →