The City of Irvine Police Department’s Animal Services Officers are charged with the duty of regulating both commercial and private animal establishments and pets. This duty requirement is enumerated by City ordinance as follows:

Section 4-5-501, License required (Summarized): No person shall conduct or operate within the City any commercial establishment without first obtaining a license from the Animal Services Officer.

Section 4-5-601, License required (Summarized): No person may maintain a private kennel, aviary or stable on any property without first obtaining a permit for a private kennel, aviary or stable from the Animal Services Officer.

• Private Kennels are any property, building or structure where four or more dogs or four or more cats are kept for the pleasure of the owner.
• Private Aviaries are any property, building or cage where 20 or more birds are kept for the pleasure of the owner.
• Private Stables are property, building or structure where one or more horse is kept for the pleasure of the owner.

Section 4-5-901, Permit required: livestock.(Summarized): It shall be unlawful to keep any equine, bovine, swine, sheep or goat within the corporate City limits without first securing a livestock permit from the Animal Services Officer.

Section 4-5-1001, Wild/exotic/poisonous animal permit (Summarized): No person shall keep or maintain any wild, exotic, non domesticated animal or poisonous reptile within the City limits without first obtaining a permit from the Animal Services Officer.

All Animal Services licenses/permits require an on-site inspection by an Animal Services Officer. Inspections will include, but not be limited to, view of the animal(s), their intended housing, control measures and any special permits/licenses required by local, state or federal law. Animal Services permit fees and exemptions are established by City resolution and will vary according to the type of permit applied for. Special event applicants should allow ten working days in advance of the planned event for processing.

Applications for an Animal Services permit can be obtained at the Irvine Police Department Front Desk or by calling our Animal Services Program at 949-724-7092.