Animal Ordinances in Yolo County, CA (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yolo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Yolo County Zoning Code § 8-2.506 lets all residential zones keep up to four small domestic animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, certain parrots) without a kennel permit; larger numbers and chickens/poultry are tied to parcel size, and large livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, horses, fowl) require half an acre or more in the A-R, RR-5, RR-2, and R-L zones with allocations under an Animal Density Point system.
Chickens and livestock allowed by zone; density-point system
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code § 8-2.506 (Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards)
The keeping of up to four (4) small domestic animals is allowed in all residential zones, except for the RR-2 and RR-5 zones, where up to nine (9) small domestic animals may be kept without need for a kennel permit. For parcels that exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet, up to six (6) small domestic animals and up to seven (7) domestic fowl or poultry may be kept.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Yolo County, a dog off its owner's own property must be restrained by a leash no longer than eight feet under Yolo County Code § 6-1.401.1. Four narrow exemptions apply. Animal Services enforces the rule, and a violation is a misdemeanor under § 6-1.422(a).
Dog Leash Law in Unincorporated Yolo County
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 6-1.401.1
No owner shall permit his dog to be in any area, other than on private property where the dog is maintained by or on behalf of its owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight (8') feet in length; provided, however, this section shall not apply if the dog is (1) assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties, (2) under the control of a person engaged in hunting pursua...
Breed Restrictions
Yolo County does not ban or restrict any specific dog breed. California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683 preempts local breed-specific dog regulations, allowing only individualized 'vicious animal' designations and (under HSC § 122331) breed-specific spay/neuter programs.
No breed bans; California preempts breed-specific dog laws
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food & Agricultural 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...
Beekeeping
Keeping bees in unincorporated Yolo County is a by-right use in every zone, but Sec. 8-2.506(k) tightens the rules once a hive sits in the R-L, R-M, or R-H residential districts: no more than two colonies, rear-yard placement, and fixed setbacks from the street, property line, and neighbors.
Backyard Beekeeping Rules in Yolo County
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 8-2.506(k)
(k) Beekeeping. ... (2) Non-commercial urban beekeeping is allowed in all of the agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial zones as a use allowed “by right.” However, non-commercial urban beekeeping is allowed in the R-L, R-M, and the R-H zones only if all of the following conditions are met and maintained: ... (ii) There shall be no more than two (2) bee colonies established ...
Exotic Pets
In Yolo County's agricultural zones, keeping or sheltering a wild animal is not a use you can start on your own. Table 8-2.304(c) of the Zoning Code requires a Minor Use Permit from the Planning Division whenever the animal already needs a state Fish and Wildlife permit under the Fish and Game Code, layering county review on top of state licensing.
Yolo County Wild Animal Keeping Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances, Table 8-2.304(c), Note (2)
(2) The keeping, care or sheltering of wild animals, which requires a permit from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife pursuant to the Fish and Game Code, shall require a Minor Use Permit.
Pet Limits
Yolo County Title 6 does not set a numeric household limit on dogs or cats, but anyone operating a kennel must obtain an annual kennel license under § 6-1.701, and the kennel use itself must comply with Title 8 zoning. State Health and Safety Code requirements for rabies vaccination also apply.
No household dog cap; kennel licensing for commercial keeping
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code § 6-1.601 (Dog Licenses)
Every owner of a dog required to be licensed shall procure an annual license for such dog in accordance with the procedure set forth in this chapter.
Cat Rules
Yolo County exempts domestic cats from its leash and at-large law under § 6-1.401, so a free-roaming cat is not itself a code violation. Owners remain on the hook, though: § 6-1.420 forbids letting a cat damage another's property or bite, scratch, or claw a person or another animal.
Cat Rules in Unincorporated Yolo County
Light RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances §§ 6-1.401 and 6-1.420
No owner of a domestic cat shall permit or suffer such cat to damage property, public or private or real or personal, or to bite, scratch, or claw any human being or other animal which is the property of another.
Pet Groomer Rules
Yolo County classifies pet grooming as a "Service Use" under Sec. 8-2.603(c), and Table 8-2.604 allows it by right, subject only to zoning clearance, in the Local Commercial, General Commercial, and Downtown Mixed Use zones. The Highway Services Commercial zone bars pet grooming outright.
Pet Grooming Zoning Rules in Yolo County
Light RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 8-2.603(c); Table 8-2.604
(c) Service Uses. This Use Type includes all personal and business services, such as barbers and hairdressers; pet grooming; small and large appliance and furniture repair; auto repair and gasoline service stations; accountants and attorneys that rely on "walk in" traffic; Laundromats; plumbing services; and all other similar businesses that sell services to members of the public. ... Table 8...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Opening an animal hospital or veterinary medical facility on agricultural land in Yolo County takes a Minor Use Permit in most zones, a Site Plan Review in the A-I zone, and is barred outright in the A-R zone. Sec. 8-2.306(f) adds a categorical restriction on top: the use is never allowed on any parcel under an active Williamson Act contract.
Yolo County Animal Hospital Zoning Restriction
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 8-2.306(f)
(f) Animal hospitals and veterinary medical facilities. Animal hospitals and veterinary medical facilities are not allowed on any land under an active Williamson Act contract.
Animal Ordinances by City in Yolo County
1 cities in Yolo County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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