16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Keeping chickens and small livestock in unincorporated San Bernardino County is regulated by the 2007 Development Code, Chapter 84.04 (Animal Keeping). Table 84-5 allows female poultry on residential parcels by lot size, scaling from 2 birds on lots under 7,200 sq ft up to a maximum of 9 of each genus per parcel.
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, County Code 32.0108 (Control of Animals) requires dogs off the owner's property to be restrained by a leash held by a competent person, or properly enclosed in a vehicle or cage. Animals may not run at large on streets, parks, or unenclosed private property.
San Bernardino County does not ban any dog breed. However, under County Code 32.1501 (enforced by Animal Care), pit bulls and pit bull mixes over 4 months old in unincorporated areas must be spayed or neutered. California state law (Food & Ag Code 31683) bars true breed-specific bans but permits breed-based mandatory sterilization.
Beekeeping is allowed in unincorporated San Bernardino County. County Code 32.0903 sets apiary location standards: hives must sit at least 100 feet from public roads, 200 feet from freeways, and 500 feet from houses (without occupant permission). Apiaries near schools or gathering places need 6-foot barriers. State law also requires registering bees with the county.
Keeping exotic animals in unincorporated San Bernardino County is tightly controlled by Development Code 84.04.040. Exotics are an accessory use to a single-family home, require a county Special Use Permit plus permits from County Public Health and California Fish and Game, and are capped at two over six months old without a Conditional Use Permit.
CDFW Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR § 671 — Detrimental Animals)
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). [...] Animal Care (Detrimental Species): Issued to any resident who has demonstrated the experience and ability to house animals designated as a detrimental species, and who legally possesse...
Feeding wildlife is illegal in unincorporated San Bernardino County. County Code 32.1301 prohibits leaving food outside for nondomesticated mammalian predators - coyotes, raccoons, foxes, opossums, bears, mountain lions, and bobcats - with narrow exceptions for permitted owners and animals awaiting pickup by animal control.
CDFW Keep Me Wild — Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and w...
Large livestock in unincorporated San Bernardino County is governed by Development Code Chapter 84.04. As an accessory use (Table 84-5), horses and cattle need a 20,000 sq ft parcel (60-ft frontage) at one per 10,000 sq ft, capped at 9 per parcel. Larger herds, dairies, or hog ranches need a Conditional Use Permit.
San Bernardino County has no ordinance using the term 'hoarding,' but excess-animal situations are reached two ways: Development Code Table 84-5 caps dogs/cats (5+ becomes a permitted kennel/cattery), and California Penal Code 597 (cruelty) and 597.1 (failure to provide care) apply when animals are neglected. Animal Care enforces both pathways.
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, Development Code Table 84-5 caps a combination of dogs and/or cats by lot size: 2 under 7,200 sq ft, 3 up to 9,999, 4 up to 19,999, and 5 at 20,000 sq ft or more. Five or more is a private kennel/cattery needing a Special Use Permit.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require cats to be licensed or leashed. Cats are covered by the Development Code pet limit (combined with dogs: 2 to 5 by lot size; 5+ is a cattery). The County Code anti-nuisance and noise rules (32.0119) apply, and California Penal Code 597 protects cats from cruelty.
San Bernardino County requires dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from county shelters to be spayed or neutered before release. Owners present a deposit refunded once veterinary verification is submitted, encouraging compliance among redeeming owners.
San Bernardino County requires microchipping of dogs and cats at the time of licensing or shelter release. The chip must be registered to a current owner with active contact information that Animal Care officers can verify in the field.
San Bernardino County coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on coyote conflicts. Residents must avoid feeding wildlife, secure trash, and use hazing techniques. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing imminent threats to people or pets.
California law and San Bernardino County retail rules require pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from shelters or rescues. AB 485 enforcement is shared between Animal Care, code compliance, and the California Attorney General.
San Bernardino County aligns with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code. Removing active nests of native birds is prohibited, especially during nesting season, and tree work near raptor or songbird nests requires biological survey clearance.
California Fish and Game Code Section 3503
3503. It is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird, except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation made pursuant thereto.
San Bernardino County residents may not keep injured wildlife without a California Department of Fish and Wildlife rehabilitator permit. SBC Animal Care refers calls to permitted facilities such as those serving the desert and mountain corridors.
California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 679 (Wildlife Rehabilitation)
aned wild animals may be temporarily possessed for rehabilitation by a person in California under a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by CDFW. Trained wildlife rehabilitators provide treatment and care of these animals for the purpose of their release, in a condition of good health, to suitable habitat in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators have an important role in the conservation of...
8 cities in San Bernardino County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
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