10 rules for unincorporated Calaveras County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Calaveras County's Zoning Code allows hens and rabbits on small residential lots and livestock on RR-zoned and smaller RA-zoned lots using an animal-equivalent-unit system. Roosters are prohibited on R-1 single-family lots. Animal keeping must be accessory to a residence.
Calaveras County Code prohibits dogs from being 'at large' off the owner's premises. A dog is at large unless on a leash or otherwise under the owner's immediate control. County recreation areas require a leash no longer than six feet.
Calaveras County does not impose breed-specific bans. Its dangerous-dog program (Chapter 6.12) is breed-neutral and applies to any dog based on behavior, consistent with California Food & Agricultural Code Chapter 9 (Section 31601 et seq.).
Calaveras County's animal code does not regulate beekeeping; honey-producing bees are expressly excluded from the County's 'wild animal' definition. Apiaries are governed primarily by California's statewide apiary law, which requires registering hives with the County Agricultural Commissioner.
Calaveras County Code defines and restricts 'wild animals' and animals capable of transmitting rabies. Many exotic species, including non-human primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, big cats, and venomous animals, may not be kept without a valid California Fish & Game permit, layered on top of state Fish & Game Code restrictions.
Calaveras County Code has no ordinance that specifically prohibits feeding wild animals such as deer, bears, or coyotes. Conduct that attracts wildlife and disturbs neighbors could be addressed through the County's animal nuisance rule, while California Fish & Game law governs intentional wildlife feeding.
In this rural foothill county, Calaveras County Code bars livestock from running at large or grazing on others' land or public roads, and prohibits turning loose intact male animals such as stallions, bulls, boars, rams, and male goats. The Zoning Code sets density limits and a permit path for larger operations.
Calaveras County has no ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' but its animal-permit caps and nuisance and abandonment rules function as controls. Keeping four-plus dogs or five-plus cats without a permit is prohibited, and neglect or abandonment is a crime under state Penal Code Section 597.
Calaveras County Code requires an animal permit to keep four or more dogs or five or more cats over four months old for noncommercial purposes. Larger operations need a kennel license. A special 'ranch dog permit' covers working ranch dogs above the three-dog threshold.
Calaveras County does not require cats to be licensed or leashed. An animal permit is needed only to keep five or more cats over four months old. Female cats in heat must be confined, and intact impounded cats trigger state spay/neuter fines.
See every category we cover for Calaveras County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Calaveras County Ordinance Hub →