10 rules for unincorporated Mono County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Mono County allows poultry through its General Plan land-use 'animal-keeping' standards rather than a chicken-specific ordinance. Hens are counted in 'animal units' (10 chickens, ducks or game hens equal one unit), with the number of units tied to lot size and zoning designation.
In unincorporated Mono County, leash rules apply within designated 'leash law areas' such as June Lake, Hilton Creek, Lee Vining, Wheeler Crest, White Mountain Estates and Chalfant. In those areas dogs must be confined or on a leash no longer than six feet under a competent person's immediate control.
Unincorporated Mono County has no breed-specific ban. California law (Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683) prohibits cities and counties from declaring any dog dangerous or vicious based on its breed, so pit bulls, Rottweilers and similar breeds are legal to own in the county.
Unincorporated Mono County has no beekeeping-specific ordinance in its animal code. Statewide, California Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040 requires every beekeeper to register their apiary annually with the county agricultural commissioner, regardless of how many hives they keep.
Unincorporated Mono County does not have its own exotic-animal ordinance, so California state law controls. Food and Agricultural Code Section 2118 and Title 14 CCR Section 671 make it unlawful to keep most restricted wild animals - including primates, many wild carnivores, and many reptiles - without a state permit, and pet permits are not issued.
Unincorporated Mono County has no standalone wildlife-feeding ordinance in its animal code. Feeding wild animals is discouraged because it draws bears and other wildlife into conflict; under California law it is generally unlawful to intentionally feed big-game wildlife such as bears, and county nuisance rules can address attractants.
Ranching is a traditional, by-right use in much of unincorporated Mono County. The General Plan's animal-keeping standards count livestock in 'animal units' (one cow or horse equals one unit; two pigs, goats or sheep equal one unit) and tie the allowed number to lot size and land-use designation, with no numeric limit above ten acres.
Unincorporated Mono County addresses animal hoarding through California's animal-cruelty and neglect laws rather than a county hoarding ordinance. Penal Code Sections 597 and 597.1 make it a crime to fail to provide proper food, water, shelter and care, and allow animals to be seized when their health and safety are compromised.
Unincorporated Mono County's animal code sets no fixed maximum number of dogs or cats per household. Every dog over four months old must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, and the practical 'limit' is driven by licensing, nuisance rules and California's care-based animal-welfare law rather than a hard number.
Mono County's leash and 'at large' rules in Title 9 apply specifically to dogs, not cats, so there is no cat leash law in the unincorporated county. Cats are not required to be licensed, but owners remain responsible for nuisance and for proper care under California animal-welfare law.
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