Gilroy, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Article VII of Chapter 4, 'Mandatory Spaying of Pit Bull Breeds,' was added by Ordinance No. 2010-06 under the authority of California SB 861, codified at Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 and Health and Safety Code Section 122331, which lets cities mandate spay/neuter for specific breeds. Section 4.66 defines 'pit bull' to mean a bull terrier, miniature bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or any dog displaying the physical traits or AKC/UKC-recognized characteristics of those breeds. Section 4.68 requires spaying or neutering of any pit bull the owner knew or should have known was a pit bull, unless one of six exceptions applies: the dog is under eight weeks old; a veterinarian certifies sterilization would risk serious harm or death; the dog has been in the city less than 30 days; the owner has obtained or applied for a breeding permit under Section 4.72; a breed determination is under appeal under Section 4.67; or the dog is a registered show dog with AKC or UKC papers filed within 30 days.

Section 4.67 lets an unsure owner request a department breed determination, appealable to the department director within five business days. Owners wanting to breed must obtain a nontransferable, one-year breeding permit under Section 4.71 that requires registry papers, breed-standard conformation, a completed or scheduled dog show, and specific health screenings including OFA hip and cardiac certification and a temperament test, and breeders may not let a female pit bull have more than one litter per year.