License Requirements

If you are a City of Fremont resident, your dog or cat is required to be licensed within 30 days of:

• Acquiring a cat or dog that is over four months old.
• A cat or dog turning four months old.
• Moving to Fremont with a cat or dog.
• The expiration of a pet license.

Penalty

• There is a $10 penalty charged if cats and dogs are not licensed within these time frames.
• Veterinarians are required by City Ordinance to report rabies vaccinations to the City Licensing Authority.
• Pet owners are required to update the licensing department if the animal is deceased, lost, given away, or no longer in Fremont.
• Failure to license will result in citations.
• If your veterinarian decides your pet should not get a rabies vaccination for medical reasons, documentation is required and you still must license the pet.

Payment Terms

• License fees are not pro-rated regardless of the month acquired. 
• Two or three year pet licenses are purchased by pet owners at a reduced fee at their option and, therefore, are not refundable in whole or in part, nor will credit be allowed toward licenses for other pets. 
• A current pet license from another jurisdiction in California may be transferred to Fremont for a $6 fee.

First Rabies Vaccination

California law requires that a pet’s rabies vaccination is valid for the full length of the license. Since a puppy's or kitten's first rabies shot lasts one year, their first license will also be limited to one year.

Animal Permit Fees

The Difference Between a Permit and a License

All cats and dogs in Fremont require a license. Permits are for owners that have more animals than allowed with just a license. Permits also cover animals such as goats, small animals, chickens, and other birds.

Limits for Dogs and Cats

A pet owner may keep up to two dogs, or four cats. If you have both cats and dogs, you can have up to two dogs and three cats. You must get a permit for more animals. ( Fremont Municipal Code 6.10.010)

Limits for Small Animals

A pet owner may keep up to 6 small animals. Some examples include birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, reptiles, and amphibians. Small animals must be under 50 pounds and be legal to keep in California. You may not keep any more than 6 small animals. (Fremont Municipal Code 6.10.020)

Livestock Limits

No livestock such as cows, pigs, llamas, ducks or geese are allowed to be kept on residential properties. (Fremont Municipal Code 6.10.030)

Limits for Chickens, Rabbits, Pigeons & Doves

On residential properties with an area of more than 6000 square feet, a pet owner may keep a total of six: chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and doves, without a permit. More animals require a permit.  On real property zoned residential with an area of less than 6,000 square feet, a pet owner may not keep chickens and may only keep a maximum of two rabbits, pigeons or doves.

A maximum of two species of those animals allowed under this section may be kept on one lot. (Fremont Municipal Code 6.10.040)

Lot Size

You can often find your lot size by checking a real estate app and looking up your address.

See all codes related to animals.

Exotic Pets

Exotic animals are not permitted in Fremont.

Fremont defines an “Exotic Animal” as any poisonous reptile or other wild animal or any vicious or dangerous animal or another animal of wild, vicious or dangerous propensities, requiring a standard of care and control greater than required for customary household pets or domestic farm animals.