Garden Grove City Council
April 28, 2026

Item 156/2026

Final
City of Garden Grove

INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM

To:

Lisa L. Kim From: Omar Sandoval
Dept:

City Manager Dept: City Attorney
Date: 4/28/2026

Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance amending Section 6.04.020 of the Garden Grove Municipal Code to permit and regulate the keeping of pot- bellied pigs in residential properties. (Action Item)

OBJECTIVE

For the City Council to introduce an ordinance to permit and regulate the keeping of pot - bellied pigs in residential properties.

BACKGROUND

At the request of Mayor Pro Tempore Brietigam, the City Council directed the City Attorney to bring back an ordinance to permit the keeping of pot -bellied pigs in the City. Currently, pot-bellied pigs are considered livestock and are prohibited in the City.

DISCUSSION

Regulatory Framework

The proposed ordinance will amend Section 6.04.020 of the municipal code pertaining to the keeping of animals to permit up to two pot-bellied pigs to be kept on residential lots subject to the following regulations:

 Only two (2) pot-bellied pigs may be kept on a residential lot;

 Their breeding is prohibited;

 They must be tested and vaccinated for leptospirosis, erysipelas, pseudorabies and any other communicable diseases for which a vaccine is available and generally recommended for such animals. Owners will be required to maintain certificate(s) from a licensed veterinarian indicating that the vaccinations are current;

Item 156/2026

 Male pigs older than 2 years must have their tusks removed, cut or filed to a length of less than 2 inches by a licensed veterinarian;

 They must be spayed or neutered by 2 months of age;

 A minimum of 300 square feet of fenced outdoor space per animal must be provided. The space must be at least 50 feet away from any structure used for human habitation, except that of the owner. Any such space must also maintain a minimum setback of 20 feet of any property line, except when the animal(s) is/are kept in the dwelling.

 They must be restrained on a leash when taken outside the residence/property;

 The property must be maintained odor-free, clean and sanitary. Droppings and other wastes must be removed on a daily basis;

 They cannot be kept or maintained in an od ious, offensive, obnoxious, filthy, or unsanitary condition.

 An annual permit will be required for each pot-bellied pig kept at a residence, subject to an annual permit fee to be established by the City Council by resolution.

Implementation

Given the regular neighborhood complaints the City receives related to noise, odor, sanitation, and property damage regarding chickens, roosters, dogs and cats, the foregoing regulations would be necessary to mitigate any potential impacts that an increase in pot- bellied pigs may cause in the community.

As background, the City’s Animal Care Services has impounded a total of five pigs in the last five years, three of which occurred within the last two years. Each incident required the response of three to four Animal Control Officers and/or the Garden Grove Police Department, and placement times of impounded animals were extended.

Based on the foregoing limited experience, it is anticipated that Animal Care Services will require additional resources to p ermit pot-bellied pigs in the City. These resources would include:

 Creation of application forms;

 Adoption of inspection protocols and approval workflows;

 Contract(s) for specialized veterinary services from providers able to provide services for pot-bellied pigs, which may be located outside the City;

 Staff training on the capture and handling of pot-bellied pigs; Item 156/2026

 Purchase of equipment necessary to capture, transport and hold pot -bellied pigs, including hog boards, feeders, slings, transport crates and trailers;

 Upgrades or alterations to the current dog enclosure at the Municipal Service Center.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

The full scope of establishing a new pot-bellied pig permit and regulatory program in the City is not known at this time.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the City Council:

 Introduce and conduct the First Reading of an Ordinance permitting the keeping of pot-bellied pigs in residential properties, and pass to second reading.

ATTACHMENT(S)

1. Ordinance