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πŸ” Animal Ordinances/Livestock

Livestock: Ontario vs Rialto

How do livestock rules compare between Ontario, CA and Rialto, CA?

Rialto has fewer restrictions than Ontario.

Ontario, CA

San Bernardino County

Heavy Restrictions

Ontario restricts livestock to agricultural and equine zones in the Development Code. Most livestock activity is in Ontario Ranch (New Model Colony). Standard residential zones prohibit cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.

View full Ontario rules β†’

Rialto, CA

San Bernardino County

Few Restrictions

Livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, llamas) are permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Rural Living (RL) zones of unincorporated San Bernardino County. Animal unit counts scale with lot size; setbacks for corrals and barns run 40-100 feet. California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code 3482.5) protects existing operations from nuisance suits.

View full Rialto rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactOntarioRialto
Allowed ZonesAg and equine overlay onlyAG, RC, RL
Legacy AreaOntario Ranch New Model Colony-
ResidentialCattle horses goats sheep prohibited-
SwineConditional-use onlyAG zones only
SlaughterResidential slaughter prohibited-
Density-1 AU / 0.5 acre typical
Protection-Civil Code 3482.5 RTF

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Ontario FAQ

Can I keep a horse in my Ontario backyard?

Only on parcels in the equine overlay or agricultural zones, primarily legacy parcels in Ontario Ranch. Standard residential lots do not permit horses.

Is a potbelly pig considered livestock?

Potbelly pigs are regulated separately and are often treated as pets in limited numbers, but check with Ontario Planning before acquiring one because restrictions are stricter than dogs and cats.

Rialto FAQ

Can I keep horses on a 1-acre parcel in unincorporated San Bernardino County?

In most AG and RL zones, yes. Typical density is 1 animal unit per half-acre, so a 1-acre lot can generally support 2 horses with compliant corrals and setbacks. Check specific parcel zoning with Land Use Services.

Does the Right to Farm Act protect me from neighbor complaints?

California Civil Code 3482.5 protects agricultural operations established at least 3 years before a complainant moved in from nuisance suits about normal farm sights, sounds, and smells. It does not protect new operations or operations violating other laws like zoning or water quality.

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