Animal Ordinances in Nevada County, CA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Nevada County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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 Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsNevada 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...
Dog Leash Laws
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 Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Light RestrictionsNevada 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.
Breed Restrictions
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.
Nevada County Dog Breed Restriction Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. 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...
Beekeeping
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 Beekeeping (Apiary) Rules
Some RestrictionsNevada 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
Exotic Pets
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 Exotic and Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsNevada 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...
Pet Limits
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 Pet Limit Rules (Dogs and Cats)
Some RestrictionsNevada 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...
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