Animal Ordinances in Kings County, CA (2026)

Kings County Development Code, Article 5 §§ 505, 506 (Table 5-1; Table 5-2)

Distance Between Structures (ft.) Between residence & structures housing livestock or small animals. 40* No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation No Limitation *Stables shall be located a minimum of 30' from any property line.

Kings County Code § 4-66

It is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in any area of the county unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless the dog is securely ...

Kings County Code § 4-77

The owning or harboring of any dog which is vicious or potentially dangerous as defined by California Food and Agriculture Code section 31601 et seq. shall be an infraction and such animal shall be deemed a nuisance. Any person may contact the animal control officer to file a complaint. The complaint shall state the place where such nuisance exists, describe such animal and its conduct and g...

Kings County Code §§ 4-91, 4-92

No person shall have, keep or maintain any wild animal unless adequate provisions are made for its confinement and control to insure the maintenance of public peace, health and safety. ... A wild animal is an animal or reptile which is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Kings County. This definition does not include birds, small rodents or small, nonpoisonous reptiles commonly u...

Kings County Code § 4-33

Every person who owns, manages, or operates a kennel housing ten or more altered dogs or cats shall obtain a multiple animal permit.

Kings County Code § 4-67

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property.

Kings County Code § 4-20

No person may own or harbor a dog or cat over the age of four months in violation of this section. All unaltered dogs or cats must be spayed or neutered or, in the case of an unaltered dog, be licensed in accordance with section 4-38. Any person who owns or harbors a dog or cat which is unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to...

Kings County Code § 4-46

It is unlawful for any person to breed dogs and/or cats for sale or profit or to advertise for the sale or adoption of such animals without first obtaining a breeder permit. The fees for a breeder permit shall be set by the board of supervisors and shall be paid to the animal control officer. To obtain a permit, the breeder may not sell or adopt any offspring until eight weeks of age and eac...

Kings County Development Code, Article 6 § 603, Table 6-1

Veterinarian offices, hospitals or clinics, including short-term boarding of animals and incidental care such as bathing and trimming... Located not closer than 500 feet to a residential, district. All operations conducted entirely within a completely enclosed structure which complies with specifications of soundproof construction which shall be prescribed by the Zoning Administrator.

Kings County Code §§ 4-91, 4-95 (Article V, Wild Animal Control)

No person shall have, keep or maintain any wild animal unless adequate provisions are made for its confinement and control to insure the maintenance of public peace, health and safety. ... No person, organization, society, association or corporation shall import or release into Kings County any wild animal, whether indigenous to Kings County or not.