Calaveras County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Calaveras County Code does not contain any breed-specific ban or restriction. Chapter 6.12 regulates 'potentially dangerous' and 'vicious' dogs by behavior, not breed. Section 6.04.030 defines a 'potentially dangerous dog' by conduct (for example, a dog that twice within 36 months engages in behavior requiring defensive action off the owner's property, or that bites causing injury) and a 'vicious dog' as one that inflicts severe injury or kills a human when unprovoked, or that meets statutory seizure criteria. Section 6.12.010 states the chapter implements a program 'pursuant to and consistent with Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 31601) of Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code.' This tracks California state law, which under Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 forbids cities and counties from declaring a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on its breed. Owners of dogs declared potentially dangerous or vicious face licensing, microchipping, insurance, and confinement requirements (Sections 6.12.060 and 6.12.070), and a person whose dog is found vicious may be barred from owning any dog for three years (Section 6.12.080). No pit bull, Rottweiler, or other breed-targeted ordinance exists in the County Code.