16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Santa Clara County allows backyard chickens in most residential zones with setback requirements. Roosters are restricted in suburban areas, and larger livestock is limited to rural residential and agricultural zones.
Santa Clara County requires dogs to be leashed (maximum 6 feet) in all public areas, including county parks. Off-leash is permitted only in designated dog parks. Violations are infractions with fines.
Santa Clara County does not impose breed-specific bans. California Food and Agriculture Code 31683 preempts counties from restricting dog ownership by breed, but dangerous dogs of any breed may be declared and regulated.
Cal. Food & Agric. 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...
Santa Clara County allows backyard beekeeping in most zones with setback and hive-count limits. Registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner is required under state law, and flyway barriers are typical.
Santa Clara County prohibits feeding wildlife including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and turkeys. Attractant management is required in foothill neighborhoods where lions and bears are active.
Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are allowed in Rural Residential, Hillside, and Agricultural zones of Santa Clara County. Minimum parcel sizes, stocking limits, and Right to Farm protections apply.
Santa Clara County Title C (Animals) sets care standards and pet limits while California Penal Code §597 makes neglect or cruelty a crime. SCC Animal Services investigates hoarding with the Sheriff and District Attorney for seizure and prosecution.
Cal. Penal Code § 597
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section or Section 599c, a person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal, or maliciously and intentionally kills an animal, is guilty of a crime punishable pursuant to subdivision (d). (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a) or (c), a person who overdrives, overloads, drives when overl...
Santa Clara County Code Title C generally caps unincorporated single-family residences at about three dogs and three cats over four months without a kennel or cattery permit. SCC Animal Services issues higher-count permits subject to zoning under SCC Title 4.
Santa Clara County Code Title C requires rabies vaccination for cats over four months and sets nuisance standards. SCC Animal Services and city partners support trap-neuter-return for managed feral colonies; outdoor cat owners remain liable for damage and wildlife harm.
Santa Clara County Code Title C requires sterilization of dogs and cats released from county shelters, mirroring California Food & Agricultural Code §30503. Cities such as San Jose and Sunnyvale extend a broader spay-neuter mandate to all owned dogs and cats over four months.
Santa Clara County Animal Services microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or released from its shelter and registers the chip to the new owner. San Jose and other cities now require microchips at licensing, expanding the mandate beyond shelter exits.
Santa Clara County and partner cities follow a coexistence model led by SCC Vector Control and CDFW: hazing, attractant removal, and lethal control only for sick or aggressive animals. Title C and city codes ban intentional feeding of coyotes and other wildlife.
California Health & Safety Code §122354.5 (AB-485, 2019) bars retail pet stores statewide, including throughout Santa Clara County, from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. SCC and city counsel handle enforcement.
Pet groomers in unincorporated Santa Clara County need a county business license, zoning compliance under SCC Title 4, and sanitation standards under SCC DEH. Mobile groomers add vehicle and wastewater discharge requirements. California has no state grooming license.
Santa Clara County Title 4 zoning permits veterinary clinics in commercial zones with conditions on overnight boarding, outdoor runs, noise, and odor. Larger animal hospitals, kennels, or large-animal practices typically require a use permit from county Planning.
California Fish & Game Code §3503 to §3516 protect native birds, nests, and eggs, with raptors and migratory species getting enhanced safeguards. Santa Clara County Title C reinforces wildlife protection by banning intentional harm and feeding in unincorporated areas.
5 cities in Santa Clara County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
13 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Bird Protection
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
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