Animal Ordinances in Shasta County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shasta County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Shasta County's Limited Agriculture (A-1) district, keeping chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or rabbits is capped at twenty-five birds per half-acre of gross lot area under Section 17.04.020(B)(1). Larger livestock like goats or a horse carry their own per-half-acre caps, and lots must total at least one acre to qualify.
Shasta County Backyard Chicken and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsShasta County Code Section 17.04.020(B)(1)-(2)
1.Animal husbandry does not exceed the following number and type of animals per one-half acre:a.One horse, mule, steer or similar sized animal, orb.Three goats, sheep, swine, llamas, alpacas or similar sized animals, orc.Three adult emus, rheas, ostriches or similar sized birds, ord.Twenty-five turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits or similar sized animals, ore.Unlimited fish, frogs, worms o...
Dog Leash Laws
The Board of Supervisors can designate specific areas of unincorporated Shasta County as dog leash zones after a public hearing, and inside those zones every dog must be on a leash and under its owner's control. Zones are marked by county Public Works signage, though missing signs are not a defense to a violation.
Shasta County Dog Leash Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsShasta County Code Section 6.04.055(A)-(C)
A. By ordinance or resolution adopted after a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors may designate areas of the county as dog leash zones. All dog leash zones in existence prior to the enactment of the ordinance codified in this section shall remain in effect. B. It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of a dog to allow it to be at any place in a dog leash zone unless it is on a leash and u...
Breed Restrictions
Shasta County does not ban or single out any dog breed; instead it adopts the state's individualized dangerous-and-vicious-dog process under the Food and Agricultural Code. A dog of any breed can be declared potentially dangerous or vicious only after an animal regulation officer's investigation and a formal hearing before the county administrative officer.
Shasta County Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Some RestrictionsShasta County Code Section 6.04.040(A)-(B)(1)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of Chapter 9, Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code (Food & Agr. Code, § 31601 et seq.) are adopted and incorporated herein by reference. B. An administrative hearing to determine whether a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious shall be initiated and proceed in the following manner: 1. If an animal regulation officer has inv...
Beekeeping
Beekeepers in Shasta County must register their apiaries with the agricultural commissioner, get the landowner's permission to site a hive, and keep hives at least 300 feet from any dwelling other than their own and at least 100 feet from a public highway. Violating the setback makes the apiary a declared public nuisance subject to relocation.
Shasta County Apiary Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsShasta County Code Section 6.08.060(A)-(B)
A. No person shall place or keep any apiary or cause or allow any apiary to remain closer than three hundred feet to any residence or dwelling other than a residence or dwelling owned or possessed by that person or where the apiary is placed or kept with permission from the landowner. Any apiary kept in violation of this subsection is expressly declared to be a public nuisance and such an apiar...
Pet Limits
Shasta County caps ownership at six dogs over four months old per lot, dwelling, or premises unless the owner holds a dog hobbyist, ranch dog, or non-commercial dog sanctuary permit from the sheriff's animal regulation unit. Legal uses already existing when the chapter took effect are grandfathered.
Shasta County Household Dog Limit
Significant RestrictionsShasta County Code Section 6.04.080(A)
Except as permitted by this section, and other than legal uses in existence upon enactment of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to own or possess more than six dogs which are over the age of four months on any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, vessel, or living accommodation.
Animal Ordinances by City in Shasta County
1 cities in Shasta County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shasta County ordinances
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