Animal Ordinances in Lake County, CA (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Lake County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Lake County's Suburban Reserve (SR) zoning district, small livestock and poultry are capped by a density formula tied to lot size, with up to 24 chickens per 20,000 square feet allowed by right and larger animal densities requiring a use permit.
Lake County Backyard Chicken and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Art. 9 § 9.16 (Sec. 21-9)
9.16 Animal density: (a) Parcels shall be limited to the raising, feeding, maintaining and breeding of animals and bees at the following permitted densities: 1. One (1) hog or pig per eighty thousand (80,000) square feet of area; or 2. One (1) horse, mule, cow, steer or similar animal per twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of area; or 3. Three (3) goats, sheep or similar animals per twenty th...
Dog Leash Laws
Lake County requires dog owners in the unincorporated area to keep their dog on their own premises unless it is restrained by a leash or chain no longer than six feet under a competent handler's control. County Code Section 4-5 defines an animal as "at large" when it is off the owner's property without such restraint, direct control, or a secure enclosure.
Lake County Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-5 (subsections 5.2(c)(9), 5.4)
(9) In addition to other provisions contained herein, is at large or pastured or kept on any street or other public place or private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant, or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. As used in this section, "at large" means an animal not under restraint by leash, not in an enclosed area, or not under th...
Breed Restrictions
Lake County has no breed-specific ban; instead it regulates any animal, of any breed, that behaves viciously. Section 4-14 lets the Animal Control Director declare an animal vicious after an unprovoked attack or threatening behavior, then order confinement, insurance, or destruction through an abatement process reviewable by the Board of Supervisors.
Lake County Vicious Animal Declaration Rule
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-14
"Vicious animal" means an animal, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which demonstrates any or all of the following behaviors: (1) An attack, without provocation which requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury and/or property damage in a place where such person is conducting himself peaceably and lawfully... 14.2 Possession Unlawfu...
Exotic Pets
Lake County bans possessing any non-domesticated wild animal, from lions and bears to venomous snakes, in the unincorporated area unless the Animal Control Director issues a wild animal permit. Section 4-40 flatly prohibits selling, breeding, or importing any wild animal for sale, with no permit available for those activities.
Lake County Wild Animal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-40
40.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or maintain within the jurisdiction of this article any animal which is not normally domesticated in the United States, including but not limited to any lion, tiger, bear, nonhuman primate (monkey, chimpanzee, etc.), wolf, cougar, ocelot, wildcat, skunk or venomous snake irrespective of its actual or asserted state or docility, tameness or dom...
Cat Rules
Lake County does not require cats to be individually licensed like dogs, but anyone caring for a feral or community cat colony in the unincorporated area must first obtain a cat colony permit. Section 4-15 conditions the permit on daily feeding, trap-neuter-vaccinate-and-ear-clip compliance, and FIV/FeLV testing of colony cats.
Lake County Feral Cat Colony Permit
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-15
15.1 It shall be unlawful for any person within the unincorporated area of the County of Lake to intentionally provide care to a feral cat colony unless that person first obtains from the Director of Animal Control, a cat colony permit (free roaming or confined) and agrees to the following conditions: (a) To feed and water the colony daily. (b) To trap the cats over eight (8) weeks of age and h...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lake County makes it unlawful to own, harbor, or keep a dog or cat over four months old in the unincorporated area unless the animal has been spayed or neutered. Section 4-17 exempts law-enforcement, search-and-rescue, and certified assistance animals, plus registered show animals and animals under a veterinarian's health exemption.
Lake County Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law
Heavy RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-17
17.1 No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the unincorporated area of this county, a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless the dog or cat is exempt from the provisions of this section pursuant to subsection 17.3 of this section. ... 17.3 The following animals are exempt from the provisions of subsection 17.1 of this section: (a) Dogs empl...
Pet Store Rules
Lake County does not ban pet-store sales, but it requires every commercial kennel or pet shop to hold an annual license from the Animal Control Director. Section 4-6 conditions a new license on Community Development Department zoning certification and requires sanitary, nuisance-free conditions subject to periodic inspection and revocation for violations.
Lake County Pet Shop Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 4-6 (subsections 6.4-6.9)
6.4 Every person who is the legal owner or actually in control of or operates a commercial kennel or pet shop, unless otherwise exempt, shall annually procure and maintain a valid and unexpired kennel license from the Animal Control Director. ... 6.6 ... The Animal Control Director shall not issue an original kennel or pet shop license until the Community Development Department has certified th...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Unincorporated Lake County splits veterinary clinics by animal size and zoning district. Large animal clinics need a Minor Use Permit in the Agricultural (A) and Rural Lands (RL) districts, while small animal clinics can open by right in the Service Commercial (C2) district.
Lake County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Art. 5 § 5.4(i) (Sec. 21-5)
5.4 Uses permitted subject to first obtaining a Minor Use Permit in each case: ... (i) Large animal veterinary clinics (Ord. 1749, 7/7/1988; Ord. No. 2536, 8/31/2000)
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