16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated San Bernardino County allows chickens and livestock in rural zones (RL, RC, AG) with counts tied to lot size. Roosters restricted in suburban zones. California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code 3482.5) protects established operations.
Dogs in public places in unincorporated San Bernardino County must be leashed at 6 feet or under and held by a competent person. Voice control is not a substitute. Off-leash dog parks are designated exceptions.
California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts breed-specific bans. San Bernardino County uses conduct-based dangerous-dog rules, not breed bans. HOAs, insurers, and landlords may still restrict breeds privately.
Beekeeping is permitted in AG and RL zones of unincorporated San Bernardino County. Hives must be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner per CA Food and Ag Code 29040-29061. Setbacks and flyway barriers apply.
Exotic animal ownership in unincorporated SB County is primarily governed by California Code of Regulations Title 14, §671, which restricts many exotic species. County zoning determines whether exotic animals are allowed as primary or conditional use.
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 (coyotes, bears, mountain lions, raccoons, deer) is prohibited under CA Fish and Game Code 4150 and county nuisance rules. Bird feeders for songbirds are allowed with bear-safe protocols in mountain zones.
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...
Livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, llamas) are permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Rural Living (RL) zones of unincorporated San Bernardino County. Animal unit counts scale with lot size; setbacks for corrals and barns run 40-100 feet. California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code 3482.5) protects existing operations from nuisance suits.
San Bernardino County Animal Care responds to hoarding complaints under Title 3 cruelty rules and California Penal Code section 597. Excessive animals creating unsanitary or neglectful conditions are seized; owners face misdemeanor charges and animal forfeiture.
San Bernardino County household pet limits are set by Title 3 and the Land Use Code. Residential parcels usually allow up to four dogs and four cats over four months old. Larger parcels in agricultural zones may keep additional animals with kennel permits.
San Bernardino County requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through Animal Care. Outdoor cats are allowed but must wear identification, and trap-neuter-return colonies operate under registered caretaker programs.
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
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
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