Long Beach, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Vicious-animal standard
- Unprovoked bite or attack propensity
- Hearing timeline
- 5-10 business days after notice
- Decision standard
- Preponderance of the evidence
- Destruction notice period
- 10 days written notice minimum
- Breed-specific rule
- None: behavior-based only
Summary
Long Beach regulates dangerous animals by behavior, not breed: LBMC § 6.16.250 defines a "vicious animal" as one that bites or attempts to bite without provocation. A Hearing Officer can declare an animal vicious after a public hearing, and the Director may order humane destruction ten days after written notice.
A."Vicious animal" is any animal which bites or attempts to bite any human or animal without provocation, or which has a disposition or propensity to attack, bite or menace any human or animal without provocation and endangers the health and safety of any person.B.Any animal while on the premises of the person responsible for that animal which bites or attempts to bite a person or other animal that is unlawfully on such premises, or which has been provoked or teased, or which is otherwise performing its duties as a police dog, shall not be deemed to be a vicious animal. / 6.16.290.A.The Director, if he or she elects not to destroy a vicious animal, may issue certain rules and regulations pertaining to the keeping and containing of such animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
250 defines a vicious animal as any animal that bites or attempts to bite a human or animal without provocation, or that has a disposition or propensity to attack, bite, or menace without provocation and endangers safety: an unprovoked-bite standard with no breed reference. An animal that bites someone unlawfully on the owner's premises, that was provoked or teased, or a police dog performing its duties is excluded from the definition. 270 requires the Director to hold a public hearing before a City Manager-designated Hearing Officer, held five to ten business days after notice is served, where the owner may present evidence against the vicious finding.
The Hearing Officer decides by a preponderance of the evidence and can impose additional orders. 280, the Director may order an animal declared vicious humanely destroyed, but not sooner than ten days after written notice to the owner. A lets the Director instead issue containment and keeping rules; violating those rules leads to impoundment and makes the animal subject to summary destruction, again after ten days' written notice. 310.
Violations & Fines
An owner who violates a rule or regulation issued under § 6.16.290.A for a vicious animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and/or subject to administrative fines and penalties under § 6.16.210, and the animal is impounded and subject to summary destruction after ten days' written notice. Failing to surrender an animal for impoundment when subject to this Chapter is separately a misdemeanor under § 6.16.260.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Long Beach ban specific dog breeds as dangerous?
How does an animal get declared vicious in Long Beach?
Can Long Beach destroy a dog declared vicious?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
How Long Beach compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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