San Diego County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

San Diego County does not prohibit or restrict any specific dog breed. Under County Code section 62.602(l), a 'dangerous dog' is defined by conduct, a dog that has attacked, bitten, or injured a person engaged in lawful activity two or more times in a 48-month period, or once resulting in death or substantial injury, regardless of breed. The Department of Animal Services may begin proceedings under section 62.674 to declare a dog dangerous, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, and may impose conditions such as secure confinement, muzzling, liability insurance, microchipping, altering, and special registration. The County may also declare an animal a 'public nuisance animal' under section 62.682. Breed enters the picture only as a possible condition after a violation: under section 62.682(d), if a person fails to properly care for or control animals and poses a risk, the Department may bar that specific person from owning 'any animal or a specific type or breed of animal' for up to five years. This is a person-specific consequence, not a general breed ban. State law reinforces this approach: California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 allows cities and counties to regulate dangerous dogs but generally prohibits ordinances that are specific to breed, except for limited mandatory spay/neuter or breeding programs. As a result, no pit bull or other breed is banned in the unincorporated County.