10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Keeping chickens and other poultry in unincorporated San Diego County is governed by the Zoning Ordinance Animal Regulations as 'Small Animal Raising (includes Poultry),' with the number allowed set by each parcel's Animal Designator. Roosters are separately capped by County Code, ranging from one to twenty per premises by lot size.
In unincorporated San Diego County, dogs away from home must be restrained by a hand-held leash no longer than six feet, held by a person able to control the dog. At home, dogs may be controlled by leash, fence, voice or an electronic containment system.
Unincorporated San Diego County has no breed-specific ban. The County Code regulates dogs by individual behavior, declaring a 'dangerous dog' or 'public nuisance animal' based on conduct, not breed. California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 also bars local dangerous-dog laws that are breed-specific.
Beekeeping in unincorporated San Diego County is governed by County Code Title 6, Division 2, Chapter 9 (sections 62.901 et seq.), effective Jan. 10, 2025. Beekeepers must register annually with the Agricultural Commissioner, and apiaries must meet tiered setbacks from roads, dwellings, property lines and sensitive sites by colony count.
Wild or undomesticated animals are tightly limited in unincorporated San Diego County. The Zoning Ordinance allows one wild or undomesticated animal as an accessory use if kept in conformance with State and local law; keeping more is 'Specialty Animal Raising: Wild or Undomesticated' and requires a Minor Use Permit. State permits also apply.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Restricted Species Permits (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 671)
rts, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (PDF) . Entitlements Fee Description Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment New: $155.53 Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of an existing permit, nonrefundable. Restricted Species Permit Inspection 1-5 Enclosures:...
Unincorporated San Diego County has no dedicated ordinance prohibiting the feeding of coyotes, deer, or other wildlife. Such conduct is governed mainly by California law: Fish and Game Code rules on wildlife, and the County's general public-nuisance and sanitation provisions can apply when feeding attracts pests or creates hazards.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit (Fish & Game Code; Title 14 CCR)
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Skip to Main Content See the Emergency Closures page before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property. CA.gov Official website of the State of California About Us Contact State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife Menu Custom Google Search Home Fishing Hunting Licensing Conservation Learning Home / HWC Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Vision: To proa...
Livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep and goats in unincorporated San Diego County is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance Animal Regulations, which set the number of animals by each parcel's Animal Designator and lot size. Horse keeping, large-animal raising and cattle feed lots have their own density and permit rules.
Unincorporated San Diego County addresses animal hoarding through its public-nuisance and welfare powers rather than a named 'hoarding' law. The Department of Animal Services can limit the number or type of animals a person may keep, and bar ownership for up to five years, when someone fails to properly control or care for animals.
Unincorporated San Diego County sets no household cat limit. For dogs, keeping seven or more dogs at least four months old makes a property a 'kennel' (County Code 62.602(x)), which requires a kennel license. Up to six dogs and any number of cats are accessory uses under the Zoning Ordinance.
Unincorporated San Diego County does not license cats, set a cat-number limit, or require cats to be leashed. Cats are accessory uses under zoning. Owners must keep premises sanitary, and rabies, bite-reporting, and altering-at-redemption rules apply to cats as well as dogs.
10 cities in San Diego County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
13 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
8 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
10 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
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