10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated San Mateo County allows backyard chickens and ducks on residential parcels of at least 2,500 square feet. Up to 6 birds are allowed on lots of 2,500 to 7,499 square feet and up to 10 on lots of 7,500 square feet or more. Roosters are prohibited, and birds must be kept in a rear-yard coop.
In unincorporated San Mateo County, dogs must be leashed and under control whenever they are on public property or any unenclosed premises. The County Ordinance Code has no voice-control exception, so dogs must be leashed at all times except in designated off-leash areas.
Unincorporated San Mateo County has no breed-specific ban. The County Ordinance Code regulates individual dogs as dangerous or vicious based on behavior, not breed. California state law (Food & Agricultural Code) also bars breed-discriminatory licensing or ownership bans, though breed-specific spay/neuter programs are permitted.
Cal. Food & Agricultural Code Sec. 31683 (Local Dangerous Dog Ordinances)
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 ...
Beekeeping is broadly allowed in unincorporated San Mateo County on a nuisance-avoidance basis. California state law requires every beekeeper to register hive locations with the County Agricultural Commissioner within 30 days of establishing the apiary, and apiaries away from a residence must be marked with owner contact information.
Unincorporated San Mateo County prohibits keeping any exotic animal without a use permit from the Planning and Building Department. The County Ordinance Code defines exotic animals broadly to include big cats, wolves and other wild canids, primates, elephants, and any species venomous to humans. California state law separately restricts many wild species.
The County Ordinance Code does not contain a specific prohibition on feeding wildlife in unincorporated San Mateo County. County agencies strongly advise against feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals because it draws predators and creates nuisances. Intentionally interfering with certain wildlife is also restricted by California state law.
Keeping livestock in unincorporated San Mateo County depends on the parcel's zoning district. Animal control under Title 6 covers dogs, cats, exotic animals, and poultry, while livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats is governed by the County zoning/Development Code, which permits agricultural animals on appropriately zoned and sized rural and agricultural parcels.
Unincorporated San Mateo County has no separate 'hoarding' ordinance, but its permit tiers cap how many animals a household may keep and its animal-care standard prohibits neglect. Keeping animals without proper food, water, shelter, or care violates the County Code, and severe neglect is a crime under California Penal Code Section 597.
In unincorporated San Mateo County, a household keeping more dogs or cats needs a permit. An animal fanciers permit covers up to a total of ten dogs and/or cats, and a kennel or cattery permit is required to keep more than ten dogs, cats, or any combination per dwelling or business.
Cats over three months old in unincorporated San Mateo County must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated. The County Ordinance Code also requires that unaltered cats over six months be either spayed/neutered or covered by an unaltered-animal license or breeding permit. There is no general cat-leash requirement.
4 cities in San Mateo County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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