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Animals

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1. Does the City regulate the types and number of animals a resident can keep?

Yes, the "Animals Ordinance" is part of the El Cerrito Municipal Code related to keeping animals including domestic pets, chickens, other fowl, bees, goats, pigs and other animals in El Cerrito.
El Cerrito Municipal Code

2. What animals can I keep in El Cerrito?

As of April 2012, the City allows residents to keep the following animals:
• Dogs—County license required
• Cats—County license optional
• Domestic Rodents (e.g. rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs)
• Rabbits
• Fish
• Domestic reptiles and amphibians (e.g. lizards, snakes, frogs and turtles)
• Domestic Insects (other than honeybees) and other commonly kept arthropods (e.g. ants, spiders, millipedes, and hermit crabs)
• Birds, if kept indoors and not permitted to fly freely. (Birds flying freely or birds kept outdoors require a conditional use permit.)
• Chickens (hens only), honeybees, pigs and goats (as pets, or for personal sustainability at a hobby level only) with a City permit.

Wild or exotic animals are regulated by County and State law and shall not be permitted without a conditional use permit.

All animal-related home businesses (e.g. kennels, animals breeding, animal daycare, or selling animal products) require a conditional use permit.

3. Who do I contact if I have questions about keeping animals in El Cerrito?

For more information about keeping animals in El Cerrito, to obtain clearances or permits, or to find out about placement of coops, pens, and kennels, contact the City Planning Division at 215-4330.

Residents who have or plan to keep one or more chickens or other fowl, beehives, pigs, goats, other livestock, or exotic/wild animals should contact the City about obtaining the proper permits for existing animals.

4. Does the City provide animal control services?

El Cerrito contracts with the County for animal control services. To find out about required dog licensing or optional cat licensing, or to report suspected animal abuse or neglect, contact the County Animal Services Department at (925) 335-8300. More about Animal Control