Fullerton Breed Restrictions Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Fullerton's municipal code contains no provisions targeting specific dog breeds for prohibition or heightened regulation. This is consistent with California state law: Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 explicitly prohibits any city or county from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that declares a specific dog breed — or dogs of any specific breed — to be dangerous or vicious. The preemption prevents Fullerton from instituting a pit bull ban, a Rottweiler restriction, or any similar breed-specific measure that singles out dogs based solely on breed characteristics rather than individual behavior. One narrow exception exists under California Health and Safety Code Section 122331, which allows localities to adopt breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter ordinances, but Fullerton has not enacted any such provision and all breeds are treated identically under current city and county law.

Animal control services within Fullerton are provided by OC Animal Care (Orange County Animal Care). The behavioral framework follows California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 31601 through 31683. A dog may be declared potentially dangerous if, on two or more separate occasions within a 36-month period, it has bitten, attacked, or caused physical injury to a person or domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property, or if it has approached a person in a menacing manner while unprovoked and not confined. A dog may be declared vicious if it has killed or caused severe injury to a person without provocation, or if it was previously declared potentially dangerous and the owner failed to comply with all conditions imposed. These determinations follow a formal investigation and, upon the owner's request, an administrative hearing. The evaluation applies uniformly to all dogs regardless of breed, size, or appearance.

Fullerton is a diverse Orange County city of approximately 139,000 residents, encompassing established residential neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown district, and a university campus (California State University, Fullerton). Dog ownership is widespread, and the city enforces standard leash and licensing laws applicable to all breeds. All dogs four months of age and older must be licensed through OC Animal Care and must have a current rabies vaccination on file. Owners of dogs declared potentially dangerous or vicious must house the animal in an escape-proof locked enclosure when not under the direct physical control of a responsible adult, post conspicuous warning signs at all property entry points, have the animal spayed or neutered, and maintain a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage. Contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 for licensing, dangerous dog proceedings, or general animal control inquiries.

Homeowners' associations (HOAs) and landlords in Fullerton may impose their own breed restrictions through CC&Rs or lease agreements. These private restrictions are not government ordinances and are not preempted by state law. Prospective tenants and homebuyers should review HOA governing documents or lease terms carefully to understand any private breed limitations that may apply to their specific property.