10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Solano County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Solano County, keeping chickens and other fowl is regulated through the County zoning code (Chapter 28) by district and use, while County Code Chapter 4 makes it a nuisance to let fowl or rabbits run at large or onto a neighbor's property. Animal keeping must also satisfy zoning setback and use-permit standards.
Solano County Code § 4.120(a), (d)
(a) No person shall keep, maintain or harbor five or more roosters on any property within unincorporated Solano County. This section shall not apply to commercial poultry ranches whose primary commodity is the production of eggs or meat for sale as permitted by the County, public or private schools as registered with the California Department of Education, FFA or 4-H sponsored projects, or to l...
In unincorporated Solano County, no person may permit any animal to be at large on a public street, road, alley, other public place, or any unenclosed lot or premises unless the animal is under restraint by leash, lead, or chain, at heel beside a competent person, or confined. Enforced by County Animal Care/Animal Control under County Code Chapter 4.
Solano County's animal code (Chapter 4) contains no breed-specific ban or restriction. Dangerous and vicious animals are regulated by behavior, not by breed. Under California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683, local dog-control programs cannot be breed-specific, except for spay/neuter or breeding programs allowed by Health and Safety Code section 122331.
Solano County Code § 4-52
(a) A person who owns or keeps an animal and who allows, permits or causes the animal to be at large in or upon a public street, sidewalk, park, or other public property or in or upon the premises or private property of another person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if the animal bites, attacks or causes injury to any human being or other animal. (b) Any person convicted under this section sh...
Solano County's animal code (Chapter 4) does not regulate beekeeping; it only notes that honey-producing bees are excepted from the definition of venomous 'wild animals.' Where hives may be kept in unincorporated areas is governed by the County zoning code (Chapter 28). California law requires apiaries to be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner.
In unincorporated Solano County, keeping wild or exotic animals requires being properly zoned and obtaining an annual license/permit from Animal Control (County Code Chapter 4, Article VI). Exotic animals that require a state license must also be registered with Animal Control. Chapter 4 defines specific reptiles, large cats, primates, and other wild species as regulated 'wild animals.'
Solano County Code Chapter 4 contains no general ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wild animals such as deer, coyotes, or raccoons in unincorporated areas. Conditions that attract or sustain pests or create unsanitary, odorous accumulations could be addressed under the County's animal-nuisance provisions. Wildlife is otherwise managed under California Fish and Game law.
In unincorporated Solano County, County Code Chapter 4 bars letting cattle, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, and similar animals run at large or be staked, tied, or pastured on public places or on private property without the owner's consent. Where and how livestock may be kept is set by the County zoning code, including a 200-foot setback from residential parcels.
Solano County Code Chapter 4 has no provision using the term 'hoarding,' but it addresses the underlying conditions: it bars keeping animals in numbers or conditions that create a nuisance, requires proper care and sanitary premises, and defines 'abused animals' as those deprived of food, water, or shelter or kept under unsanitary conditions. Inspections and impoundment back these rules.
Solano County Code Chapter 4 sets no fixed numeric limit on how many dogs or cats a household may keep in unincorporated areas. Instead, keeping dogs or cats over four months of age as a business, or in numbers that create a nuisance, can trigger kennel/cattery licensing or animal-nuisance rules. Dogs over four months must be licensed.
Solano County Code § 4-85(b)-(c)
(b) A person shall be deemed to maintain or operate a commercial kennel if the person, without an applicable general business license in effect, keeps, harbors, or maintains dogs over four (4) months of age. (c) A person shall be deemed to maintain or operate a commercial cattery if the person, without an applicable general business license in effect, keeps, harbors, or maintains cats over four...
In unincorporated Solano County, cat licensing is optional (not mandatory) under County Code section 4-142, but any cat that is licensed must be rabies-vaccinated. Cats over four months of age must be currently vaccinated against rabies (section 4-156). Cats are also subject to the animal nuisance and at-large provisions of Chapter 4.
3 cities in Solano County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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