Lake Elsinore, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California law bars cities from banning dogs by breed, and Lake Elsinore's code follows that approach: LEMC 6.04.250 targets individual vicious or unsafe dogs based on behavior, not breed. A dog confined after biting a person, or the subject of a report to the Sheriff's Department or an Animal Control Officer, is investigated, and if there is reasonable cause to believe it is vicious or unsafe, the officer certifies that finding in writing within 10 days and mails a copy to the owner. A hearing before the Lake Elsinore Animal Friends Animal Control Agency must be set within 25 days of certification, following procedures under California Food and Agriculture Code 31601 et seq., with the decision final subject to Section 31621.

If the Agency finds the dog vicious, unsafe or noisy, it is declared a public nuisance and can be humanely destroyed or the nuisance abated through confinement, muzzling, fencing, leashing, a noise-suppression device, obedience training, debarking, or permanent removal from the property and City. Until then, 6.04.250(A) requires the owner to keep the dog confined in a building or secure enclosure, or, if off the property, securely muzzled, leashed and controlled by someone at least 18 years old capable of restraining it. Any dog not destroyed must be registered with the Animal Control Agency in addition to its regular license, per 6.04.250(J), and impoundment and abatement costs become a lien on the property if unpaid within 14 days.