Brentwood, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Contra Costa Animal Services
- State preemption
- CA Food & Ag Code §31683
- Potentially Dangerous
- Secure enclosure + muzzle + insurance
- Vicious
- May be destroyed
- Annual fee
- ~$100+
Summary
Brentwood enforces Contra Costa County's behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog ordinance through Animal Services. Any dog that bites, attacks, or threatens a person or animal can be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, triggering mandatory containment, muzzle, insurance, and microchip requirements. California law preempts breed-specific bans.
31683. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as provided in Section 122331 of the Health and Safety Code, no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed. (Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 668, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)
Full Breakdown
Dangerous dog enforcement in Brentwood follows Contra Costa County Code Title 4 and California Food & Agricultural Code §31601-31683. A dog can be declared "Potentially Dangerous" after unprovoked aggressive behavior or a minor bite, and "Vicious" after inflicting severe injury, killing another animal, or a prior Potentially Dangerous designation combined with another incident. Consequences include mandatory secure enclosure (6-ft fence with locked gate), muzzle and short leash in public, liability insurance (commonly $100,000+), microchip, sterilization, and annual dangerous-dog fees (~$100+). A Vicious declaration can result in destruction of the dog if public safety cannot be assured. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts all local breed-specific legislation, so Brentwood cannot and does not ban any breed. All dangerous-dog designations are based strictly on individual animal behavior, determined through an administrative hearing conducted by CCAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Brentwood?
What happens if my dog bites someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brentwood
How Brentwood compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Brentwood to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle breed restrictions.