Contra Costa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Chapter
- Contra Costa County Ord. Code Ch. 416-18 (formerly Art. 416-12.4)
- Breed-specific bans
- None - behavior-based only
- State preemption
- CA Food & Agric. Code § 31683
- Dangerous-permit insurance
- $100,000 minimum liability per incident
- Off-premises restraint
- Muzzle plus 6-ft leash for dangerous dogs
- Permit fees
- $300 application + $500 annual
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor; 5-year ownership ban on conviction
Summary
Contra Costa County does not impose breed-specific restrictions on pit bulls or any other dog breed. Chapter 416-18 of the Animal Ordinance (formerly Article 416-12.4) regulates dangerous and potentially dangerous animals based solely on documented behavior, consistent with California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683, which preempts local breed-specific bans on ownership.
Any animal, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties that demonstrates any of the following behavior, is a 'dangerous animal': (1) Any animal that, when unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being who is conducting himself or herself peaceably and lawfully. A 'severe injury' within this chapter means any physical injury to a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.
Full Breakdown
402 (now codified in Chapter 416-18 after a 2020 amendment), an animal is 'potentially dangerous' if, on two separate occasions within 36 months and off the owner's property, it engages in unprovoked behavior requiring defensive action, or if it bites unprovoked causing a minor injury, kills or seriously injures a domestic animal off the property, or otherwise constitutes a physical threat. 5(a) conviction, or attacks livestock off the owner's property. These definitions are behavior-based and explicitly breed-neutral. California state law (Food & Agric. Code § 31683) further bars cities and counties from enacting breed-specific bans on dog ownership, though spay/neuter requirements targeting a breed are permitted. In 1985 Contra Costa considered and rejected breed-specific legislation in favor of the generic dangerous-dog framework that remains in effect.
Violations & Fines
Once designated dangerous after the public hearing process in § 416-12.406, the owner must obtain a dangerous animal permit ($300 application + $500 annual permit) and comply with conditions in § 416-12.422: confinement in a locked, secure enclosure with secure sides and bottom; muzzle and 6-ft maximum leash when off premises; warning signage; $100,000 minimum liability insurance; mandatory sterilization and microchipping; and notice to local police, fire, and utilities. Violating a dangerous animal permit is a misdemeanor under § 416-12.434; conviction can result in seizure and destruction of the animal, and a 5-year ban on owning any animal in Contra Costa County. Convicted felons whose dog weighs over 20 pounds or has been designated dangerous are also prohibited from ownership without a separate prohibited dog permit (§ 416-12.436), with an exception for service and assistance dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls or other specific breeds banned in unincorporated Contra Costa County?
When can a dog be declared dangerous?
What does the owner of a designated dangerous dog have to do?
Can the county require spay/neuter of a specific breed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
How Contra Costa County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.