Modesto, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California state law preempts breed-specific bans on owning, keeping, or controlling dogs. Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 31683 provides that nothing in the state's Dangerous Dogs Act limits the right of a city, county, or city and county to adopt a program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that 'may incorporate all, part, or none of the provisions of this chapter,' but expressly bars such programs from being 'specific as to breed' - with a narrow exception that allows local breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding requirements (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122331). Accordingly, Modesto enforces general dangerous-dog rules without targeting any breed (pit bulls, Rottweilers, etc. are not banned). When a dog is alleged to be 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' under § 31602-31603 (e.g., it has bitten without provocation or twice required defensive action), the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency may petition for a hearing under § 31621. A dog declared potentially dangerous must be kept indoors or in a securely fenced yard, and when off the premises must be restrained by a substantial leash and under the control of a responsible adult (§ 31641-31642). Modesto's own spay/neuter law (MMC § 5-4.501) requires nearly all dogs 4 months or older to be spayed or neutered absent a breeding permit, but is not breed-specific.