Animal Ordinances in Yuba City, CA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Yuba City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
On lots of a half-acre or less, Yuba City allows up to 12 chicken hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs or similar small animals without a permit, plus two pet potbellied pigs, under Sec. 8-5.5001(a)(1). Larger numbers or other livestock on bigger lots need a Use Permit, and kennels are barred outright in residential districts.
Yuba City Backyard Chicken & Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 8-5.5001(a)(1)-(3)
On lots of one-half acre or less, the keeping of chicken hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs, or similar small animals, not exceeding a combined total of 12 in number (excluding the offspring thereof, up to the age of six months, may be kept for home enjoyment or consumption, subject to the provisions of other applicable laws. No hoofed animals are permitted, except two potbellied pigs are...
Dog Leash Laws
Any dog on a Yuba City street, sidewalk, park or other public place must be on a leash no longer than eight feet and under the complete control of its handler. A dog running loose without one is a stray, subject to immediate seizure and impoundment by Animal Control Services.
Yuba City Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 4-12.310; § 4-12.320(a)
Sec. 4-12.310. - Stray dogs—Running at large unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person owning, having interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to allow, cause or permit such dog to be in or on any public road, highway, street, alley, square, park, school ground or other public place, or in or upon any lot, premises, o...
Breed Restrictions
Yuba City does not regulate dogs by breed. Instead, when an Animal Control Officer or law enforcement finds probable cause that a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious under state Food and Agricultural Code standards, the City petitions the court for a hearing, and a declared dog must be confined and muzzled and leashed when off the property.
Yuba City Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 4-12.230; § 4-12.150
Sec. 4-12.230. - Potentially dangerous and vicious dogs. If an Animal Control Officer or a law enforcement officer has investigated and determined that there exists probable cause to believe that a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious, the Director of Community Services, or his or her designee, or the Police Chief or his or her designee, or the Sheriff, or his or her designee, shall petition...
Beekeeping
Yuba City allows beehives only on a temporary basis, and only when tied to a genuine agricultural operation that needs bees to pollinate trees within city limits, per Sec. 8-5.5001(a)(4). There is no permit path for a permanent backyard hobby hive; the standard applies in any district that permits a residence.
Yuba City Beehive Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 8-5.5001(a)(4)
Beehives are only permitted within the City limits on a temporary basis when used in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation for which bees are needed for pollination of trees within the city.
Wildlife Feeding
Yuba City Municipal Code Sec. 4-12.480 makes it a public nuisance to free-feed feral cats or wild animals, meaning leaving out more food than a single feeding needs. Putting out more food than the domesticated cats in your care actually require violates the section, though residents in the city's trap-neuter-release program for feral colonies are exempt from the free-feeding ban.
Yuba City Ban on Feeding Feral Cats, Wildlife
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code Sec. 4-12.480(a)-(d) (Feeding of feral cats)
Free-feeding means not limiting the amount of food made available to an animal at a single feeding, resulting in excess food which will result in creating inviting conditions for other animals, including wildlife. (b)It shall be unlawful for any person to create a public nuisance by free-feeding any wild animals including any feral cats.(c)It shall be unlawful for any person to make available m...
Pet Limits
Yuba City bars kennels from every residential district under Municipal Code Sec. 8-5.5001(a)(3), and Sec. 8-5.8031 defines a kennel as any premises keeping five or more dogs at least ten weeks old. Together the two sections cap a residential household at four dogs of that age before the property is treated as an unpermitted kennel.
Yuba City Residential Dog Limit
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 8-5.5001(a)(3); § 8-5.8031 (Kennel defined)
(3)Kennels are not permitted in residential districts....Sec. 8-5.8031. - Kennel. Any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises whereon or wherein five or more dogs aged ten weeks or older are kept.
Cat Rules
Yuba City has no cat licensing requirement like it does for dogs: cats fall under the "other animals" article of Title 4, Chapter 12, which bars letting any animal run loose on public property and requires a spay/neuter deposit before an impounded, unaltered cat is redeemed.
Yuba City Cat Control and Redemption Rules
Some RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code Sec. 4-12.410 (Control)
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or has the charge, care, control, or custody of any animal to permit such animal upon any public street or other public place in the City of Yuba City or upon any property belonging to the City unless such animal is under the complete control of the person owning or at the time in possession of such animal.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Yuba City does not require every pet spayed or neutered, but it uses money to steer owners there: unaltered dogs and cats redeemed from the shelter must pay a spay/neuter deposit, and a vet certificate showing a dog is already spayed or neutered cuts the license fee in half or more.
Yuba City Dog and Cat Spay/Neuter Deposit
Light RestrictionsYuba City Municipal Code § 4-12.330; § 4-12.470
Sec. 4-12.330. - Dogs—Spay/neuter deposit required. Animal Control Services shall not sell, give away, or transfer any dog except as provided for in Food and Agricultural Code div. 4, ch. 1.5 (§ 30520 et seq.). ... Sec. ... 4-12.470. - Cats—Spay/neuter deposit required. Animal Control Services shall not sell, give away, or transfer any cat over six months of age except as provided for in Agricu...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Yuba City allows a veterinary clinic as a permitted use by right in its Community Commercial (C-2) and Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial (C-M) districts, so long as it has no outdoor boarding facilities. A full veterinary hospital sited in the Agricultural Combining District instead needs a discretionary Use Permit, the same tier required for a dog or cat kennel there.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Yuba City
Some RestrictionsYuba City, CA, Municipal Code § 8-5.1302 (C-2 Community Commercial District use table); § 8-5.1502 (C-M Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial District use table); § 8-5.3502 (Agricultural Combining District (A) use table)
Uses Permitted(1) Zoning Clearance(2) Use Permit(3) Specific Standards ... Veterinarian (no outdoor boarding facilities) X ... Uses Permitted (1) Use Permit (2) Specific Standards ... Veterinary hospital X
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