Skip to content

Chapter 91 — ANIMALS

§ 91.401 LIMITATIONS ON OWNERSHIP.

Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka

(A) Rabbits. No person may keep, harbor, or maintain more than 20 rabbits upon any property within the city that is smaller than 5,000 square feet. No person may keep, harbor, or maintain more than 40 rabbits on any property.

(B) Livestock. Unless otherwise expressly permitted by this chapter or by variance obtained from the city, no person may keep, harbor, or maintain on any premises within the city any bovine animal, swine, horse, pony, mule, burro, sheep, goat, or other domestic livestock.

(C) Prohibited animals.

(1) No person may keep animals belonging to the following orders, with the exception of a properly permitted and licensed zoo.

  • (a) Anseriformes - (e.g., swans and screamers) except ducks and geese;

(b) Artiodactyla - (e.g., cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, elk, alpacas and llamas), except: miniature pigs or miniature goats with a current, valid license;

(c) Carnivora or hybrids of these - (e.g., otters, wolves, bears, coyotes, foxes, tigers, leopards, cougars, lions, lynx, mink, skunks, weasels, badgers, mongooses and raccoons), except domestic dogs and domestic cats; wolf hybrids of any type are prohibited;

  • (d) Chiroptera - (e.g., bats, myotis and flying foxes);

  • (e) Crocodylia - (e.g., alligators, crocodiles, gavials and caimans);

  • (f) Lithobates catesbeianus - commonly known as the American bullfrog;

  • (g) Marsupialia - (e.g., koalas, kangaroos, opossums, sugar gliders and wallabies);

  • (h) Perissodactyla (e.g., donkeys, jackasses, mules, and zebras) - with the exception of horses, ponies and miniature horses;

  • (i) Primates - old world, new world and primitive primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, lorises and lemurs);

  • (j) Raptors - (e.g., eagles, hawks, falcons and owls) except as allowed by Title 14 CCR § 670;

(k) Rodentia - (e.g., porcupines, prairie dogs, and nutria) except rodentia: (a) where neither the female nor the male of the species exceeds or will exceed 4 pounds in weight before or at maturity; and (b) that are derived from a self-sustaining captive population;

(l) Reptilia - (e.g., lizards, snakes, turtles) are allowed with the following exceptions: (a) front fanged venomous snakes and (b) heloderma and (c) lizards where either the female or the male of the species exceeds or will exceed eight feet in length from nose to tip of tail before or at maturity; (d) Trachemys scripta elegans commonly known as the Red Eared Slider;

  • (m) Struthioniformes - (e.g., ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, emus and kiwis);

  • (n) Order Xenarthra-Sloths - (e.g., anteaters, armadillos, etc.);

(2) It is unlawful for any person to keep or permit any animal permitted under this division except in an escape-proof enclosure.

(D) Extraordinary relief. If any person believes that they are entitled to extraordinary relief from the provisions of this section or the enforcement thereof because enforcement of this section in the particular instance would be unreasonable and result in unreasonable hardship or damage to that person, such person may request a hearing for the grant of extraordinary relief before the City Manager or their designee. If, after a hearing held after seven days' notice to the applicant, the City Manager or their designee finds that enforcement of this section in the applicant's case would be unreasonable or unnecessary and would result in unreasonable hardship or damage, any of the provisions or regulations of this section may be modified or abated in harmony with the general purposes and objectives hereof. The decision of the City Manager is final as to the city.

(E) Violations. Any person found in violation of this section may be provided with up to 30 days to remove any excess or prohibited animals from the premises, unless the keeping of the animals is deemed a public safety hazard, in which case the Animal Control Officer can require the immediate removal of the animal(s) or seize the animal(s), at the Animal Control Officer's discretion. If 30 days' notice is given, at the end of the 30-day period, if any excess or prohibited animals are still present on the premises, a fine will be levied for each excess or prohibited animal, and any Animal Control Officer or peace officer will have authority to seize any excess or prohibited animals. Any seized animal will be subject to regular impound procedures. The owner of the animal may claim the animal if the owner is able to pay the required impound fees and provide proof the owner will no longer keep, harbor, or maintain any animals in violation of this section. (Ord. 914-C.S., passed 4-20-21)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
Eureka Zoning Code
  1. Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
  2. Article II — ELECTIONS
  3. Article III — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Article IV — MAYOR
  5. Article V — ORDINANCES
  6. Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
  7. Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  8. Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  9. Article IX — FRANCHISES
  10. Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
  11. Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  12. Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  13. Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
  14. Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
  15. Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
  16. Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
  17. Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
  18. Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
  19. Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
  20. Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
  21. Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
  22. Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
  23. Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
  24. Chapter 50 — SEWERS
  25. Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
  26. Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  27. Chapter 53 — WATER
  28. Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
  29. Chapter 55 — ENERGY
  30. Chapter 56 — STREETS
  31. Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  32. Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
  33. Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  34. Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
  35. Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
  36. Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
  37. ▸ Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
    Overview
    1. § 91.101 PURPOSE.
    2. § 91.102 DEFINITIONS.
    3. § 91.103 SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES.
    4. § 91.104 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.
    5. § 91.105 INTERFERENCE WITH ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.
    6. § 91.106 RIGHT OF ENTRY.
    7. § 91.107 SEVERABILITY.
    8. § 91.108 CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER.
    9. § 91.201 ADEQUATE CARE.
    10. § 91.202 PARENTAL LIABILITY.
    11. § 91.203 ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS.
    12. § 91.204 SCOOP LAW.
    13. § 91.205 ANIMALS AT LARGE.
    14. § 91.206 [RESERVED.]
    15. § 91.207 [RESERVED.]
    16. § 91.208 TETHERING.
    17. § 91.209 ANIMALS IN VEHICLES.
    18. § 91.301 AUTHORIZATION TO IMPOUND.
    19. § 91.302 NOTICE.
    20. § 91.303 CARE OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.
    21. § 91.304 RECLAIMING IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.
    22. § 91.305 IMPOUND FEES.
    23. § 91.401 LIMITATIONS ON OWNERSHIP.
    24. § 91.402 LIVESTOCK.
    25. § 91.403 POULTRY.
    26. § 91.404 DOGS.
    27. § 91.405 EXCEPTIONS AND DISCOUNTS.
    28. § 91.406 MINIATURE PIGS.
    29. § 91.407 MINIATURE GOATS.
    30. § 91.408 PERMITS FOR PET DEALERS, GROOMING SALONS, AND PET SHO…
    31. § 91.409 DOG FANCIER'S LICENSE.
    32. § 91.410 CAT FANCIER'S LICENSE.
    33. § 91.411 EXOTIC ANIMAL FANCIER'S LICENSE.
    34. § 91.412 REGISTRATION RECORDS.
    35. § 91.501 MAINTENANCE.
    36. § 91.502 ABANDONMENT.
    37. § 91.601 OPERATIONS.
    38. § 91.602 CARE.
    39. § 91.603 CARRIAGES.
    40. § 91.604 OPERATORS AND DRIVERS.
    41. § 91.701 RABIES VACCINE FOR DOGS AND CATS.
    42. § 91.702 REPORTING ANIMAL BITES.
    43. § 91.703 SUSPICION OF RABIES.
    44. § 91.704 QUARANTINE OF ANIMALS ON OWNER’S PROPERTY.
    45. § 91.705 DISPOSITION OF RABID ANIMALS.
    46. § 91.801 PROCEDURE.
    47. § 91.802 SEIZURE AND IMMEDIATE IMPOUNDMENT.
    48. § 91.803 LIMITATIONS.
    49. § 91.804 REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERSHIP OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS…
    50. § 91.805 REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERSHIP OF A VICIOUS ANIMAL.
    51. § 91.806 REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERSHIP OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL.
    52. § 91.807 PROCEDURE FOR DESTRUCTION OF VICIOUS ANIMALS.
    53. § 91.808 REMOVAL FROM LIST.
    54. § 91.809 PENALTY.
    55. § 91.901 DETERMINATION.
    56. § 91.902 PENALTY.
    57. § 91.1001 PURPOSE.
    58. § 91.1002 NOTICE OF HEARING.
    59. § 91.1003 NOTICE OF DETERMINATION.
    60. § 91.1004 APPEAL.
    61. § 91.1101 ANIMALS AS PRIZES, PROMOTIONS, AND NOVELTIES.
    62. § 91.1102 SALE OF ANIMALS.
    63. § 91.1103 ANIMAL WASTE: KEEPING; RECEPTACLES; CLEANING.
    64. § 91.1104 BURIAL OF DECEASED ANIMALS.
    65. § 91.1105 FEEDING WILDLIFE.
  38. Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
  39. Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  40. Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  41. Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
  42. Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
  43. Chapter 97 — SMOKING
  44. Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  45. Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
  46. Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
  47. Chapter 101 — FILMING
  48. Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
  49. Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
  50. Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
  51. Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
  52. Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
  53. Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
  54. Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
  55. Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
  56. Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
  57. Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
  58. Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
  59. Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
  60. Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  61. Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
  62. Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
  63. Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
  64. Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
  65. Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
  66. Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
  67. Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  68. Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
  69. Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
  70. Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
  71. Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  72. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
  73. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
  74. Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
  75. Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  76. Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
  77. Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.