Aliso Viejo, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed named
- None; the definition turns on conduct
- Hearing request window
- Five working days from the date on the notice
- Hearing held
- Within 15 days of the written request
- Liability coverage condition
- $100,000 insurance or bond
- Transfer notice
- At least 10 days before sale or transfer
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, six months jail, or both
Summary
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, the vicious dog definition turns on conduct and dog fighting, not breed. The director of animal services can tentatively declare a dog vicious after a fatal or seriously injurious attack, a dog fighting connection, or two bites or attacks within a year, and the owner has five working days to request a hearing.
“Vicious dog” means any dog that, as determined by the director: 1. Has attacked or bitten a person causing death or substantial physical injury; 2. Has killed or inflicted substantial physical injury to a domestic animal, without provocation, while off the owner’s or custodian’s property; 3. Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is a dog trained for dog fighting; or 4. Has twice within a one-year period done any of the following: ... 6.04.240 Declaration and possession of vicious dog. ... A. Generally. ... 1. If the director has cause to believe that a dog is a “vicious dog” within the meaning of AVMC 6.02.010, he may tentatively find and declare such dog a vicious dog. ... G. Possession Unlawful. It is unlawful to have custody of, own or possess a vicious dog within the meaning of AVMC 6.02.010 unless it is restrained, confined or muzzled so that it cannot bite, attack or cause injury to any person.
Full Breakdown
Aliso Viejo defines a vicious dog by conduct. Under AVMC 6.02.010, as determined by the director, a vicious dog is one that attacked or bit a person causing death or substantial physical injury; killed or inflicted substantial physical injury on a domestic animal, without provocation, while off the owner's or custodian's property; is owned or harbored for dog fighting or trained for it; or twice within a one-year period bit, attacked or attempted to bite a person, or chased or approached a person on streets, sidewalks or other property in an apparent attitude of attack. No breed appears in the definition. A dog cannot be found vicious if the injured person was committing a willful trespass, committing or attempting a crime on the premises, or teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog, and military or police dogs at work are outside the definition.
The process is in AVMC 6.04.240. The director tentatively declares the dog vicious and notifies the owner or custodian in writing. The owner has five working days from the date on the notice to request a hearing in writing; if none is requested, the declaration becomes final. The director holds the hearing within 15 days of the request, mails notice at least 10 days beforehand, and decides within 15 days after it closes, notifying the requester in writing within five working days. Each side can call witnesses, offer exhibits and cross-examine. If immediate impoundment is necessary for animal or public health, safety or welfare, the pre-impoundment hearing is skipped, but the owner still gets five working days to request an abatement hearing.
Possessing a vicious dog is declared a public nuisance. The director can impound or abate the dog independently of any criminal case, up to and including destruction, or impose conditions such as $100,000 in liability insurance or a bond, enclosure standards, a required residence location, restraints or muzzling, photo identification or permanent marking, warning notices and a cost-recovery fee. It is unlawful to possess a vicious dog unless it is restrained, confined or muzzled so it cannot bite, attack or injure anyone, and an escape must be reported to the director immediately.
Violations & Fines
Under AVMC 6.02.080(B), violating AVMC 6.04.240 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both. AVMC 6.02.080(A) leaves the city free to pursue administrative or civil action, or to reduce the charge to an infraction. An owner of a declared dog also violates the code by ignoring any condition the director imposed, and the dog itself can be impounded or destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aliso Viejo ban pit bulls or other breeds?
How long do I have to contest a vicious dog declaration?
What conditions can the director put on a dog declared vicious?
Do I have to tell the city if I sell or give away a declared dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aliso Viejo
How Aliso Viejo compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Aliso Viejo to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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