10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Stanislaus County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Under the County Zoning Ordinance, keeping more than twelve hens, turkeys, similar fowl, rabbits, or similar animals, or more than four beehives, or any roosters or geese, is 'small livestock farming' and is restricted to agricultural and rural-residential zones. Smaller numbers are permitted in any district.
In unincorporated Stanislaus County, dogs (and other animals except cats) must be on a leash no longer than eight feet when off the owner's property. Dogs may be off-leash on the owner's own premises or on private property with the owner's consent.
No fetched Stanislaus County ordinance bans or restricts any specific dog breed. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 bars local governments from declaring any breed dangerous or vicious. The County instead regulates individual animals that behave dangerously under Chapter 7.28.
The County Zoning Ordinance treats keeping up to four permanent standard beehives as allowed in any district. Keeping more than four hives is 'small livestock farming' under Section 21.12.530 and is limited to agricultural and rural-residential zones.
County Code Chapter 7.28 requires a license before possessing any animal not commonly kept as a domesticated animal that may be dangerous to people. The Zoning Ordinance also requires a use permit to keep zoo-type animals, exotic birds, or wildlife regulated by California Fish & Wildlife.
No specific Stanislaus County ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding was found. California regulations control it instead: Title 14 Section 251.3 bans feeding big game mammals such as deer, elk, and bears, and predator-feeding rules discourage feeding coyotes and similar wildlife.
In the R-A Rural Residential district, livestock is allowed on parcels of one acre or more. Up to two horses or cows (large animals) or four sheep or goats (small animals) per acre may be kept, with density caps. Buildings for livestock must meet 50- and 40-foot setbacks.
Stanislaus County addresses hoarding-type situations through its kennel-license requirement (Chapter 7.24), public-nuisance and noise provisions (Chapter 7.16), and dangerous-animal authority (Chapter 7.28). California Penal Code 597 also makes animal neglect a crime statewide.
The County Code does not set a simple household dog or cat cap, but a kennel license is required to keep, conduct, or operate a dog or cat kennel under Chapter 7.24. Each dog four months or older must be individually licensed under Chapter 7.20.
Cats are exempt from the County's leash rule, and cat licensing is voluntary. Under Chapter 7.54 a cat owner may choose to license a cat, and licensed-cat owners can become eligible for spay/neuter vouchers. Breeding a cat requires a litter permit.
1 cities in Stanislaus County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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