Animal Ordinances in Calaveras County, CA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Calaveras County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Calaveras County caps backyard hens and rabbits at eight animals on an R-1 lot of at least 4,000 square feet, bans roosters, and requires a 30-foot setback from a neighbor's dwelling. On RR-zoned parcels and RA lots under ten acres, livestock is capped by an animal-equivalent-unit formula tied to acreage under Section 17.25.060.
Calaveras County Backyard Hens and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsCalaveras County Code § 17.25.060(E), (F)
E.Rabbits and Hens; R-1 Zone. Hens and rabbits may be kept as an accessory use to a primary residential use in the R-1 zone, in accordance with the following. Roosters are prohibited.1.Minimum Lot Size. four thousand square feet.2.Maximum Number. A total of eight hens and rabbits, including chicks.3.Enclosure. Hens and rabbits shall be located within an enclosure and not be allowed to roam at l...
Dog Leash Laws
Calaveras County bars owners from letting a dog run at large: off the owner's property and not on a leash or under immediate control. Section 6.10.010 makes a first and second violation an infraction, but a third violation of this control law within twenty-four months becomes a misdemeanor.
Calaveras County Dogs-at-Large Control Law
Some RestrictionsCalaveras County Code §§ 6.04.030, 6.10.010
"At large" means an animal off the premises of its owner, and not under restraint by means of a leash or otherwise under the immediate control of the owner. ... No person owning or having charge, care or custody of any dog shall cause or permit such dog, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, to be at large as defined in Section 6.04.030. A third violation of this ...
Breed Restrictions
Calaveras County doesn't ban any dog breed. Chapter 6.12 targets individual dogs based on documented behavior, letting the county petition the superior court to declare a dog 'potentially dangerous' after two unprovoked incidents in three years, or 'vicious' after an unprovoked attack causing severe injury, regardless of breed.
Calaveras County Dangerous Dog Program, Not Breed-Based
Significant RestrictionsCalaveras County Code §§ 6.04.030, 6.12.010
"Potentially dangerous dog" means any of the following: 1.Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner of the dog; ... The purpose of this chapter is to implement a program for the con...
Beekeeping
Calaveras County's Bee Industry ordinance, Chapter 5.08 of the county code, governs every apiary in the unincorporated county. Beekeepers must get the landowner's permission before placing hives, keep colonies away from schoolyards and parks with flight barriers, provide water, post identification signs, and relocate hives that crowd a neighbor's home. The county agricultural commissioner enforces the chapter.
Calaveras County Bee Industry and Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsCalaveras County Code §§ 5.08.030, 5.08.050, 5.08.120
No apiary shall be located or kept upon the land of another or on a public right-of-way without first obtaining the permission of the landowner, person entitled to possession of the land or the public agency having or administering such public right-of-way to place said apiary thereon. ... No apiary shall be kept or located at such a distance from dwellings or other occupied buildings as to pre...
Exotic Pets
Calaveras County bars anyone from owning, keeping, harboring or possessing an unvaccinated Canidae capable of carrying rabies, but Section 6.14.060 carves out wild animals kept under a valid California Department of Fish and Game permit at an approved facility. That exception never covers hybrids, and permitted animals must meet the state's Manual No. 671 care and caging standards.
Calaveras County Restrictions on Keeping Wild Animals
Significant RestrictionsCalaveras County Code § 6.14.060
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor or possess within the county any animal of the family Canidae capable of transmitting the rabies virus unless such animal can be immunized with a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Health Services, except that wild animals may be kept with a valid permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game at an approved facility. Th...
Pet Limits
Calaveras County residents may keep up to three dogs and four cats without a permit. Owning four or more dogs, or five or more cats, over four months old triggers a mandatory animal permit from the director of animal services under Section 6.16.010, unless the animals are already covered by a kennel license under Chapter 6.18.
Calaveras County Pet Limits: 4 Dogs or 5 Cats
Some RestrictionsCalaveras County Code § 6.16.010
Every person who is the owner of four or more dogs or five or more cats over the age of four months which are not subject to a kennel license pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6.18 of this title shall obtain a permit from the director to keep such animals. Upon denial or revocation of an animal permit, or upon notice from the director, the owner shall reduce the number of dogs and/or cats t...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Calaveras County doesn't require every owned pet to be fixed, but two Chapter 6.08 provisions push hard toward it. Owners of an impounded, unaltered dog or cat pay an escalating fine on top of impound fees, and the shelter won't release any animal over three months old for adoption unless it's spayed or neutered first.
Calaveras County Spay/Neuter Fines and Adoption Rule
Some RestrictionsCalaveras County Code §§ 6.08.030, 6.08.040
In addition to paying the fees and charges specified in subsection A of this section, the owner of any nonspayed or unneutered dog or cat that is impounded shall be fined thirty-five dollars on the first occurrence, fifty dollars on the second occurrence and one hundred dollars on the third or subsequent occurrence in accordance with Sections 30804.7 and 31751.7 of the California Food and Agric...
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