Hawthorne, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum enclosure height
- 6 feet
- Gate requirement
- Self-closing, self-latching
- Latch height
- At least 5 feet above ground
- Bite bond/insurance
- $100,000 or more
- Governing standard
- Trained-to-attack behavior, not breed
Summary
Hawthorne does not ban specific dog breeds, but it singles out any dog "trained to attack persons or animals" and requires it to be confined behind a fence or wall at least six feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates whenever it is on private property, even the owner's own yard.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.08.010 and 6.16.010, no person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog which dog has been trained to attack persons or animals, shall cause, permit or allow the same to be or run at large or be chained or fastened upon any private property or premises including those of the person owning or having charge, care or custody of such dog except within such portion of such property or premises which are enclosed by a structure, fence or wall not less than six feet in height. The fence, wall or structure shall conform to the standards and requirements of this code or shall be of chain link construction. All gates shall be of the self closing and latching type with latches a minimum of five feet above the ground.
Full Breakdown
010. " The fence, wall or structure must either meet the code's general construction standards or be of chain link construction, and every gate into the enclosure must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mounted at least five feet above the ground so the dog cannot trip it. 040 impoundment process, under which an animal that has bitten a human or another animal can be impounded and its release conditioned on confinement in an approved enclosure, a muzzle and leash requirement, and proof of financial responsibility of $100,000 or more posted as a bond or insurance certificate.
Violations & Fines
Failing to enclose a trained attack dog as Section 6.16.015 requires is enforced as a code violation under the Title 1 general penalty, Section 1.20.010: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, or prosecutable instead as an infraction or administrative citation. If the dog has already bitten someone, Section 6.24.040 lets the director of animal services impound it after five days' written notice and a hearing, and condition release on a signed confinement agreement, a $100,000 bond or insurance policy, and immediate disclosure of the dog's history to mail carriers, meter readers and anyone else who may enter the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hawthorne ban pit bulls or other specific breeds?
Can I keep a trained attack dog loose in my own fenced yard?
What happens if my dog bites someone in Hawthorne?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
How Hawthorne compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle breed restrictions.