6 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Keeping chickens, poultry, horses, and other livestock in unincorporated SLO County is regulated by the Land Use Ordinance (Title 22, inland) and Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (Title 23, coastal), with density, setback, and minimum-parcel-size rules that vary by zoning category.
SLO County Planning & Building, Animal Keeping guidance implementing Title 22 §§ 22.30.060, 22.30.090, 22.30.100 and Title 23 §§ 23.08.041, 23.08.046, 23.08.052
The raising or keeping of animals as either an incidental or principal use shall comply with the requirements of the Inland Ordinance [Title 22] or Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance [Title 23]... Certain specialized structures and facilities for animals (including animal hospitals, kennels, feed lots, fowl, poultry, hog or horse ranches, horse boarding, horseback riding lessons) may be subject to...
SLO County Code Section 9.08.020 requires all dogs to be securely leashed on public streets, parks, and other public places in unincorporated areas, or under direct heel control. Working herding dogs are exempt while actively herding livestock.
No San Luis Obispo County-specific ordinance directly imposes breed-based bans or ownership restrictions; California state default applies. Under CA Food & Agricultural Code § 31683, local programs to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs cannot be specific as to breed, except for spay/neuter and breeding regulations.
California Food & Agricultural Code § 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 is broadly allowed in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County given its agricultural character, subject to county zoning setbacks. Hives must be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.
California restricts exotic pets through the Fish & Game Code and CDFW regulations — ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal statewide, and many wild/exotic species are prohibited. These restrictions apply in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County.
San Luis Obispo County Animal Services administers a soft household limit of three dogs and three cats per residence; owners wishing to keep more must apply annually for a Multiple Animal Permit (up to six animals at one residence).
SLO County Animal Services - Multiple Animal Permits guidance (implementing Title 9 of County Code)
There is no hard, fast rule for the maximum number of animals which can be at any single property; this is generally no more than three (3) dogs and three (3) cats for each residential home... Individuals may seek an exemption to this limitation by requesting a Multiple Animal Permit from Animal Services... Permits must be renewed annually and expire on 12/31 of the current year.
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