Animal Ordinances in Monterey County, CA (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Keeping chickens in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by zoning. The County's low-density residential rules allow animal husbandry and small livestock farming on suitably zoned land. Roosters are tightly regulated: a Rooster Keeping Operation Permit is required when 5 or more roosters are kept on a single property under the County's rooster ordinance.
Monterey County Chickens and Backyard Poultry
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code Ch. 8.50 (Ord. 5249, July 14, 2015), §§ 8.50.040, 8.50.060, 8.50.110
Monterey County Ordinance No. 5249 added Chapter 8.50 to Title 8 of the Monterey County Code. A permit can be obtained by application to the county Animal Control Officer. (§ 8.50.040(A).) ... A permit cannot be issued to anyone who has a criminal conviction for illegal cockfighting or other crime of animal cruelty. (§ 8.50.060(F)(1).)
Dog Leash Laws
It is unlawful for any owner or custodian to let a dog run at-large in unincorporated Monterey County, licensed or not; a first offense is an infraction, but the violation becomes a misdemeanor if the loose dog enters property where livestock are kept and accessible.
Monterey County Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.20.010
A.It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed or not, to allow or permit any such dog to be at-large within the unincorporated territory of the County of Monterey. A violation of this Subsection shall be an infraction.B.If a dog is at-large in violation of Subsection A and during that incident the offending dog enters upon any property whe...
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Monterey County does not ban any dog breed. California law (Food and Agricultural Code section 31683) prohibits breed-specific dog regulation, except that local breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding rules are allowed. Dangerous-dog rules apply to individual dogs based on behavior, not breed.
Monterey County Dog Breed Restrictions
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural Code § 31602 (applies in unincorporated Monterey County)
(a) 'Potentially dangerous dog' means any of the following: (1) Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-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 or keeper of the dog. (2) Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing a ...
Wildlife Feeding
Monterey County Code § 8.42.012 makes it unlawful to feed or intentionally supply food to any non-domesticated animal anywhere in the unincorporated county, closing off the deer, coyote and raccoon handouts that draw wildlife into yards. The ban carries two exceptions: a bird feeder in the yard, and animals fed under a state or federal wildlife permit or while awaiting pickup by Animal Control or the Humane Society.
Monterey County Feeding Wildlife Ban
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.42.012
8.42.012 - Feeding of wildlife prohibited. No person shall feed or in any manner intentionally provide food as sustenance or to encourage domesticity in a non-domesticated animal with the exception of a bird feeder in the yard. A person may feed or provide food to wildlife under the following circumstances: A.When the wildlife is maintained, treated or fed pursuant to a valid certificate or per...
Pet Limits
Unincorporated Monterey County does not set a flat numeric cap on pet dogs or cats per home in its animal control materials. Instead, breeding triggers kennel status: under MCC 8.04.010, anyone who breeds a cat or dog more than once a year, or keeps two or more litters per year, is a kennel and needs a Breeder/Kennel permit.
Monterey County Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.04.010 (definition of 'Kennel')
"Kennel" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises in which dogs or cats are kept for the purpose of boarding, sale, letting for hire, training for a fee, breeding, or maintaining two (2) or more litters of such animals per calendar year.
Cat Rules
Monterey County treats cats more lightly than dogs: an owner may obtain a license for a cat four months or older but is not required to, unlike the mandatory dog license. Cats are not covered by the county's at-large law, but owners must confine a female cat in season to prevent accidental breeding.
Monterey County Cat Licensing and Care Rules
Light RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.08.030
Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any cat four months of age or over within the unincorporated area of the County may obtain a license as provided in this Chapter and after paying such fees as the Board of Supervisors may establish by resolution.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Monterey County will not release an unclaimed dog or cat for adoption from the County Animal Shelter unless it is already sterilized, or the adopter signs a written agreement to have it sterilized within 30 days for an adult, or by a set date in the contract for a puppy or kitten.
Monterey County Shelter Pet Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 8.28.050(A)
No unclaimed dog or cat shall be released for adoption without being sterilized or without written agreement for the adopter guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized within thirty (30) days for adults and at a specified date in the contact for puppies and kittens.
Pet Groomer Rules
Monterey County Code section 21.17.040 places a pet grooming facility on the discretionary use list for Mixed Use (MU) zoning districts in the unincorporated county, meaning it is not allowed by right. An operator must first obtain a Use Permit for a General Development Plan under Chapter 21.74, decided by the Planning Commission after a public hearing, before opening the business.
Monterey County Pet Grooming Facility Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 21.17.040
21.17.040 - Uses allowed-Use Permit for a General Development Plan required in each case (Chapter 21.74). ... KK.Personal and business services;LL.Eating and drinking establishments;MM.Recreation or fitness facility;NN.Pet grooming facility;OO.Pet care facility;PP.Funeral homes;QQ.Service centers;RR.Auto repair facilities;SS.Parking lots;...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Monterey County Code section 21.17.040 lists "Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals" among the discretionary uses in Mixed Use (MU) zoning districts in the unincorporated county, so a vet practice cannot open by right. It needs a Use Permit for a General Development Plan under Chapter 21.74, decided by the Planning Commission after a public hearing.
Monterey County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 21.17.040
21.17.040 - Uses allowed-Use Permit for a General Development Plan required in each case (Chapter 21.74). ...SS.Parking lots;TT.Outdoor commercial uses not exceeding ten percent of the floor area of an associated indoor commercial use;UU.Hotels and motels;VV.Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals;WW.Vehicle fueling stations;XX.Other uses of a similar character, density, and intensity to those ...
Animal Ordinances by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Monterey County ordinances
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