10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, chickens and poultry are regulated as "small non-hoofed animals" under the County Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060. Hens are generally allowed in residential and agricultural zones without numeric caps, but roosters and peacocks are restricted, and enclosures must sit at least 25 feet from a dwelling on another lot.
Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 7-67 (Ord. 5200, adopted Jan. 23, 2024)
Each rooster on a premise shall be housed in an enclosure that is located a minimum of 25 feet from property lines and 150 feet from any dwelling located on another lot. Rooster keeping operation permits shall not allow more than twenty-five (25) roosters to be kept or maintained on any premise regardless of the property size.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, County Code Chapter 7 (Animals and Fowl), Article II, Section 7-11 makes it unlawful to fail to keep any animal under restraint on public or private property without the property owner's permission. Chapter 7 defines restraint as an adequate leash or lead six feet in length or less under immediate control.
Santa Barbara County does not impose breed-specific bans. County Code Chapter 7, Article VIII (Vicious and Restricted Dogs), Sections 7-53 through 7-62, regulates dogs by behavior — not breed — defining "restricted" and "vicious" dogs based on aggression and bite history, consistent with California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683.
Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 7-54 & 7-60 (Ord. Nos. 3856, 4059)
'Vicious dog' means: (a) Any dog that engages in or has been found to have been trained to engage in exhibitions of illegal fighting; or (b) Any dog which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe injury to a person, as defined in Section 7-54, or kills a person... A dog determined to be a restricted dog shall be properly licensed, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and vaccinat...
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, bees are classified as "small non-hoofed animals" under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060 and may be kept as an exempt (no-permit) use in agricultural and residential zones for reasonable family, non-commercial purposes. Hive enclosures must sit at least 25 feet from a dwelling on another lot and create no nuisance.
Santa Barbara County does not publish its own list of prohibited exotic pets; possession of wild and exotic animals in unincorporated areas is controlled by California law. Fish & Game Code Section 2118 and Title 14 CCR Section 671 make it unlawful to import, transport, or possess listed restricted wild animals without a state permit.
We found no Santa Barbara County ordinance that specifically bans feeding wildlife in unincorporated areas. Feeding wild animals is instead controlled by California law: Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (Title 14 CCR §251.1) treat intentional feeding that draws big-game mammals as prohibited harassment, and state law bans feeding big-game mammals.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, livestock is regulated by lot size and zone under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060. In residential and agricultural zones, large hoofed animals such as cattle, horses, and llamas are generally allowed at one animal per 20,000 square feet, and large-animal enclosures must meet setbacks from dwellings and property lines.
Santa Barbara County does not have a standalone animal-hoarding ordinance. Hoarding and neglect are addressed through County Code Chapter 7 nuisance and impound authority combined with California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty) and Section 597.1 (neglect), which let officers seize animals deprived of proper food, water, shelter, or veterinary care.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060.F.1 limits households to no more than three dogs per lot as an accessory residential use. County Code Chapter 7 defines a kennel as a premises where four or more dogs four months or older are kept, which requires a kennel use permit.
Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 7 (whereas clauses, Ord. 17-_____)
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section §121690 and California Code of Regulations §§2606 and 2606.4 the local county health department is responsible for rabies control activities within the County; and pursuant to Food and Agriculture Code §30801 state law authorizes the County to license dogs.
Santa Barbara County does not require cats to be licensed — cat licensing through County Animal Services is voluntary. Cats are not subject to a leash law, but the general animal-keeping, nuisance, and cruelty standards in County Code Chapter 7 and California law still apply to cat owners in unincorporated areas.
2 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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