Fresno, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- State preemption
- California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 (no breed-specific dog programs)
- Only breed-specific exception
- Spay/neuter under Health & Safety Code Section 122331
- Fresno dangerous-dog code
- FMC 10-327 (dangerous animal; procedures)
- Citywide spay/neuter
- Dogs over 5 months, all breeds (FMC 10-328)
Summary
Fresno does not impose breed-specific dog bans. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dog regulation statewide, providing that 'no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed,' except spay/neuter ordinances authorized by Health and Safety Code Section 122331.
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.
Full Breakdown
California law bars cities and counties from banning or restricting dogs based on breed. Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 provides that 'no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed,' with the sole exception of breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding programs authorized under Health and Safety Code Section 122331. The statute does allow a city or county to adopt its own program for potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, so long as the program is not breed-specific. Consistent with that state framework, Fresno regulates dogs by behavior rather than breed: the Fresno Municipal Code addresses dangerous and vicious animals through its dangerous-animal procedures (FMC 10-327) and applies generally to all dogs, and the City requires spaying/neutering of dogs over five months old citywide (FMC 10-328) without singling out any breed. A dog of any breed may be declared potentially dangerous or vicious based on its conduct under California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 31601-31683.
Violations & Fines
Because breed-specific bans are preempted, enforcement focuses on a dog's behavior. A dog determined to be potentially dangerous or vicious under California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 31601-31683 (administered locally) may be subject to confinement, control, spay/neuter, and other conditions, and in serious cases the owner faces misdemeanor prosecution. Failure to spay or neuter a dog over five months old without a breeding license violates FMC 10-328.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fresno ban pit bulls or other specific dog breeds?
Can a city in California ever regulate by breed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno
How Fresno compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fresno County handle breed restrictions.