10 rules for unincorporated Nevada County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Nevada County allows backyard chickens in RA and R1 zoning on lots under 0.5 acre, scaled by lot size: 4 hens at 6,000 sq ft, 8 at 10,000 sq ft, 14 at 20,000 sq ft. Roosters, guinea hens, and loud exotic varieties are excluded. Coops need 10-ft property-line and 30-ft residence setbacks.
Nevada County LUDC Sec. L-II 3.4.1 (Backyard Chicken Keeping; now NCC Sec. 12.03.040)
Section L-II 3.4.1 Backyard Chicken Keeping. A. Purpose. To provide opportunities for the onsite raising of domestic chickens in single-family residential (R1) neighborhoods and residential agricultural (RA) zoned properties with lot size less than 0.5 acres. B. Definitions. For purposes of this ordinance, Backyard Chicken shall mean a domestic chick or hen kept on a property and does not inclu...
In unincorporated Nevada County, dogs and other animals may not run at large on public or private property. An animal is deemed at large when off the owner's premises and not under direct control by leash, chain, tether, adequate fence, or other effective device. Animal Control enforces the County Code.
Nevada County Code Sec. 8.01.470
An animal shall be deemed at large anytime it is off the premises of its owner/custodian and not under direct control of the owner/custodian by means of leash, chain, tether, adequate fence, or other effective device.
Nevada County does not ban specific dog breeds. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dangerous-dog ordinances; counties may only adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding requirements, not breed bans. The County instead regulates individual vicious or dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed.
Cal. Food & Agric. Code Sec. 31683
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as prov...
Unincorporated Nevada County allows apiaries under its Animal Keeping and Raising standards. No apiary may be located within 100 feet of any other property boundary without the adjacent owner's consent. In the RA district, hives are limited to no more than 20 colonies per acre; commercial and industrial districts do not allow apiaries.
Nevada County LUDC Sec. L-II 3.4, Table note (6) (now NCC Sec. 12.03.040)
No apiary shall be located within 100' of any other property boundary without the consent of the adjacent parcel's owner. Apiary locations are further defined in LUDC Chapter XIV, Section 2.3
In unincorporated Nevada County, wild, exotic, or non-domestic animals require special authorization from the Department of Animal Control under General Code Section G-IV 1.55, and may also need a California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit. Such animals are not allowed in residential, commercial, or industrial districts; rural districts require a Use Permit.
Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.040, Table note (8); see also NCC Sec. 8.01.580
Wild, exotic, or non-domestic animals are subject to special authorization from the Department of Animal Control. See Nevada County General Code Section G-IV 1.55 for details. Such animals may also be subject to special authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game. Specific wild or non-domestic animals may be kept for rehabilitation purposes as shown in Note 9 and further defin...
Nevada County's animal code does not publish a stand-alone ordinance banning the feeding of deer, bears, or other wildlife in unincorporated areas. California state law (Fish and Game Code / Title 14 regulations) makes intentionally feeding big-game wildlife such as bears and deer unlawful, and securing trash and attractants is strongly urged in this bear-country county.
Unincorporated Nevada County scales large-livestock keeping to lot size. No large animals are allowed on parcels under 0.5 acre. From 0.5 to 3 acres, no more than one mature large animal per 0.5 acre is allowed. Parcels over 3 acres have no numeric limit. Large livestock is not allowed in standard residential, commercial, or industrial districts.
Nevada County addresses hoarding indirectly: its animal-keeping limits cap dogs and cats (max 3 in residential/commercial/industrial districts; 6 animals on small parcels), and kennel licenses are required above those limits. Severe cases of overcrowding and neglect are prosecuted under California Penal Code Section 597, the state's animal-cruelty law.
In unincorporated Nevada County, dogs and cats are limited to no more than 3 total in the R1, R2, R3, commercial, and industrial districts. On parcels of 0.5 acre or less, the maximum is 6 animals (not to exceed 3 dogs), regardless of zoning. Agricultural and rural districts have no limit. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel license.
Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.040, Table note (3) (formerly LUDC Sec. L-II 3.4)
Where a maximum number of dogs and cats is listed, any combination of these animals is permitted but may not exceed the total as shown in the Table. On parcels of 0.5 acres or less in size, the maximum is not more than 6 animals, not to exceed 3 dogs, regardless of zoning. Maximums apply to dogs and cats over 6 months of age. This table does not apply to commercial kennels which require a use p...
Unincorporated Nevada County does not require cats to be licensed; only dogs over 4 months must be licensed. Cats count toward the County's combined dog/cat limits (max 3 in residential/commercial/industrial districts). California law makes general animal-cruelty and care standards apply, and stray cats may be handled by County Animal Control.
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