Animal Ordinances in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.645(B), Table 13.10.645-1

Small Animals in the RA, PF, RR, and R-1 Districts. "Small animal" means fowl or fur-bearing animals typically raised as outdoor pets or for products such as eggs or meat; includes such animals as poultry, pigeons, rabbits, and chinchilla. ... Minimum parcel size for rooster, peacock, tom turkey, guinea fowl or similar noisy fowl: [RA, PF] 1 acre, [RR, R-1] Not allowed. Maximum density, general...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.12.020

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not under actual physical restraint and control, such as a leash, tether, or in the grasp of a person.

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.19.020(A)(1), (G)(1)

The Director is hereby authorized to declare an animal to be a habitual offender, potentially dangerous, or vicious based on the animal meeting the definition of those terms as set forth in this chapter. ... The failure to comply with any condition imposed upon a potentially dangerous or vicious animal is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County J...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.12.150(A)-(B)

Prohibition. No person shall possess, keep, or have care, custody, or control of any animal belonging to a "wild species," as defined in California Fish and Game Code Section 2118, anywhere in the unincorporated area of the County. Exemption. This section shall not apply to persons having a valid, unexpired permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under Fish and Game Code Sect...

SCCC § 6.14.020

(A) It is prohibited to intentionally feed waterfowl or pigeons, or to intentionally place or release food which may be consumed by waterfowl or pigeons. It is also prohibited for any adult to allow any minor in their care or custody to allow such feeding by the minor. (B) It is prohibited to sell or offer to sell (or conduct a business in which there is a sale or offer to sell) live waterfowl ...

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.645(A)

The following regulations apply to animals in specified, non-agricultural zone districts, in addition to the standards in Volume I, SCCC Title 6. See SCCC § 13.10.312 for standards in agricultural districts. (A) General Standards. (1) The keeping of animals at a density greater than the specified standard requires approval of a conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 18.10 SCCC. (2) Small an...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.10.040(A), (C), (E)

It is unlawful for any person within the unincorporated area of the County to intentionally provide food, water, or other forms of sustenance to a feral cat colony unless the person also performs the following acts and furnishes the Director with a signed statement verifying such performance: (A) The person shall register with the Director as caring for feral cats; ... (C) The person shall regu...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.10.030(A)-(B)

No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, a dog, cat, or domestic rabbit over the age of six months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal certification for the animal issued pursuant to SCCC § 6.10.050. Any person intentionally providing care or sustenance for a dog, cat, or rabbit shall be deemed the ...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.08.011(A), (C)(1)

Microchip Requirement. All dogs, cats, and rabbits over the age of three months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. Nothing in this section supersedes, eliminates, or alters the licensing requirements of this chapter. ... An owner who offers any dog over the age of three months for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number and the valid dog license n...

Santa Cruz County Code § 6.04.220

Outside of licensed pet shops, live animals may not be displayed, sold, or promoted for sale in public venues such as a swap meet, flea market, farmers market, or other public venue. "Live animal" includes, but is not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, fish, poultry, rabbits, and livestock. This does not include educational events or activities such as 4H or Future Farmers of America or sales betwe...

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.646 (Ord. 3432 § 1, 1983; Ord. 5423 § 27, 2022)

The following regulations apply to kennels, grooming establishments, pet shops, small-animal hospitals, veterinary offices, and animal shelters: (A) Outdoor exercise areas shall be entirely enclosed by a closed non-transparent fence of a minimum of six feet in height. No outdoor exercise yards shall be allowed in C-1 or C-2 districts. (B) Any enclosures in which animals are treated or boarded, ...

SCCC § 6.12.150(C)

(C) Injuring Wildlife Prohibited. No person shall willfully injure, kill, capture, or take any wildlife within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County. "Wildlife" includes mammals and birds of any kind which live in the wild, except for rodent pests. This section does not apply to any County employees or Animal Shelter employees acting within the scope of their employment for the protectio...