Pet Limits: Monterey vs Salinas
How do pet limits rules compare between Monterey, CA and Salinas, CA?
Monterey and Salinas have similar restriction levels.
Monterey, CA
Monterey County
Monterey County does not cap the number of pet dogs or cats per household by headcount, but MCC 8.04.010 defines a 'kennel' as any premises where dogs or cats are kept for boarding, sale, hire, training for a fee, breeding, or maintaining two or more litters per calendar year - triggering a Breeder/Kennel permit requirement.
View full Monterey rules →Salinas, CA
Monterey County
Monterey County does not cap the number of pet dogs or cats per household by headcount, but MCC 8.04.010 defines a 'kennel' as any premises where dogs or cats are kept for boarding, sale, hire, training for a fee, breeding, or maintaining two or more litters per calendar year - triggering a Breeder/Kennel permit requirement.
View full Salinas rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Monterey | Salinas |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section (Definition) | MCC § 8.04.010 | MCC § 8.04.010 |
| Litter Threshold | 2 or more litters of dogs/cats per calendar year | 2 or more litters of dogs/cats per calendar year |
| Breeding Threshold | More than 1 breeding per calendar year | More than 1 breeding per calendar year |
| Licensing Required | All dogs over 4 months (MCC 8.08.010 / 8.08.030) | All dogs over 4 months (MCC 8.08.010 / 8.08.030) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Monterey FAQ
Is there a maximum number of dogs or cats I can keep as pets?
Title 8 of the Monterey County Code does not set a fixed numeric limit on pet dogs or cats. Limits, if any, come from the property's zoning district under Title 21 (zoning) or the applicable area land-use plan. Once breeding or commercial activity reaches the kennel threshold (2+ litters/year), a Breeder/Kennel permit is required regardless of headcount.
What counts as a 'kennel' under county law?
Per MCC 8.04.010, a kennel is any premises where dogs or cats are kept for boarding, sale, letting for hire, training for a fee, breeding, or maintaining two or more litters per calendar year. A hobby breeder who has one accidental litter is not a kennel; a hobby breeder with two litters in a calendar year is.
Do I need to license my cat?
Per Monterey County Animal Services, dog licensing is mandatory for all dogs over 4 months old; cat licenses are voluntary. All dogs and cats over 4 months must still be rabies-vaccinated under MCC 8.08.010.
Salinas FAQ
Is there a maximum number of dogs or cats I can keep as pets?
Title 8 of the Monterey County Code does not set a fixed numeric limit on pet dogs or cats. Limits, if any, come from the property's zoning district under Title 21 (zoning) or the applicable area land-use plan. Once breeding or commercial activity reaches the kennel threshold (2+ litters/year), a Breeder/Kennel permit is required regardless of headcount.
What counts as a 'kennel' under county law?
Per MCC 8.04.010, a kennel is any premises where dogs or cats are kept for boarding, sale, letting for hire, training for a fee, breeding, or maintaining two or more litters per calendar year. A hobby breeder who has one accidental litter is not a kennel; a hobby breeder with two litters in a calendar year is.
Do I need to license my cat?
Per Monterey County Animal Services, dog licensing is mandatory for all dogs over 4 months old; cat licenses are voluntary. All dogs and cats over 4 months must still be rabies-vaccinated under MCC 8.08.010.
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