Animal Ordinances in San Benito County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated San Benito County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated San Benito County allows up to 12 small farm animals, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep and similar, in any combination on a parcel, plus a separate small-livestock cap.
San Benito County Backyard Chicken and Livestock Caps
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 25.08.013(B)
Limits on animals: small farm animals. The following limits apply to the number of small farm animals. (1) "Keeping of small farm animals" is listed to the keeping of not more than a total of 12 small farm animals in any combination of the following: chicken hens; pigeons or similar fowl; crowing fowl; rabbits or similar animals; ducks; geese; turkeys; goats; sheep or other livestock.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated San Benito County, dogs must be restrained by a leash, chain, strap, or cord no longer than eight feet, or kept on the owner's own premises, under the county's at-large ordinance.
Dog Leash Law in San Benito County
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 13.01.020
All dogs shall be deemed running at large, within the meaning of this chapter, unless under restraint by a substantial leash, chain, strap or cord, not to exceed eight feet in length, attached to their collars and actually held by an able bodied person or made fast to some stationary object. The term "at large" shall mean off the premises of the owner and not under restraint. (HMC § 6.08.010) ...
Pet Limits
Unincorporated San Benito County allows up to five adult dogs and nine adult cats without a permit; a hobby kennel permit raises the dog limit to eight.
Dog and Cat Limits in San Benito County
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 25.08.012(B)(2), (D)
(2) The following are exempt from the requirement to obtain a conditional use permit: (a) The keeping of five or fewer adult dogs. (b) The keeping of 12 or fewer puppies. (c) The keeping of nine or fewer adult cats. (d) The keeping of 12 or fewer kittens. ... (D) Limit on number of dogs for hobby kennel. A hobby kennel may house up to eight adult dogs and 12 puppies.
Cat Rules
Unincorporated San Benito County requires cats allowed to roam public streets or run at large to carry a current rabies vaccination, renewed at least every three years under the county code.
Cat Rabies Vaccination Rule in San Benito County
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 13.01.023(E)
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having the care, charge, custody or possession of a cat shall allow or permit such cat to go on the public streets in any manner, or to go free and run at large in or upon any place outside of incorporated cities in the county, unless such cat has been vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine approved by the health officer at intervals of not ov...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Unincorporated San Benito County exempts veterinary hospitals from the use-permit process that otherwise applies to kennels and pet shops, while still holding them to the county's animal-keeping standards.
San Benito County Veterinary Hospital Zoning Exemption
Few RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 25.08.012(B)
Animal keeping exempt from use permit requirement. (1) The following are exempt from the requirement to obtain an administrative use permit, but are subject to the animal keeping regulations in Chapter 13 of the County Code: (a) Veterinary hospitals... (2) The following are exempt from the requirement to obtain a conditional use permit: ... (e) Veterinary hospitals.
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