Pet Limits: Redwood City vs San Mateo
How do pet limits rules compare between Redwood City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Redwood City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
In unincorporated San Mateo County, a household keeping more dogs or cats needs a permit. An animal fanciers permit covers up to a total of ten dogs and/or cats, and a kennel or cattery permit is required to keep more than ten dogs, cats, or any combination per dwelling or business.
View full Redwood City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
In unincorporated San Mateo County, a household keeping more dogs or cats needs a permit. An animal fanciers permit covers up to a total of ten dogs and/or cats, and a kennel or cattery permit is required to keep more than ten dogs, cats, or any combination per dwelling or business.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redwood City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Animal fanciers permit | Up to a total of 10 dogs and/or cats (Code Section 6.16.010) | Up to a total of 10 dogs and/or cats (Code Section 6.16.010) |
| Kennel/cattery permit | More than 10 dogs, cats, or combination per dwelling/business | More than 10 dogs, cats, or combination per dwelling/business |
| Permits issued by | County Planning and Building Department | County Planning and Building Department |
| In addition to | Individually licensing each dog and cat | Individually licensing each dog and cat |
| Revocation | For inhumane treatment or failure to provide care (Section 6.16.070) | For inhumane treatment or failure to provide care (Section 6.16.070) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redwood City FAQ
How many dogs or cats can I have in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Keeping up to a total of ten dogs and/or cats requires an annual animal fanciers permit under County Code Section 6.16.010. Keeping more than ten dogs, more than ten cats, or more than ten in combination requires a kennel or cattery permit from the Planning and Building Department under Chapter 6.20.
Does the Peninsula Humane Society enforce a pet limit?
PHS/SPCA states it does not enforce a numeric pet quantity limit unless cruelty is suspected, and points residents to local rules. In the unincorporated County, the controlling limits are the animal fanciers permit (up to ten) and the kennel/cattery permit (more than ten) in the County Ordinance Code.
San Mateo FAQ
How many dogs or cats can I have in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Keeping up to a total of ten dogs and/or cats requires an annual animal fanciers permit under County Code Section 6.16.010. Keeping more than ten dogs, more than ten cats, or more than ten in combination requires a kennel or cattery permit from the Planning and Building Department under Chapter 6.20.
Does the Peninsula Humane Society enforce a pet limit?
PHS/SPCA states it does not enforce a numeric pet quantity limit unless cruelty is suspected, and points residents to local rules. In the unincorporated County, the controlling limits are the animal fanciers permit (up to ten) and the kennel/cattery permit (more than ten) in the County Ordinance Code.
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