Monterey, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California law bars cities from regulating dogs by breed, and Monterey's ordinance confirms that approach: Chapter 6, Division 3 (Sections 6-30 through 6-34) regulates dogs based on documented behavior, not breed. Section 6-31 defines a 'potentially dangerous dog' as one that, unprovoked, has on two separate occasions within a 36-month period engaged in behavior requiring a defensive action to prevent bodily injury, or has caused an injury less severe than a 'severe injury,' or has twice attacked a domestic animal in that same 36-month window.

A 'vicious dog' is one that, unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being, or is a previously listed potentially dangerous dog that reoffends or violates a prior order. Under Section 6-32, the process starts when an Animal Control Officer or peace officer finds probable cause and the Police Chief petitions a City-designated hearing officer; the owner gets written notice and a hearing, held within 10 calendar days of impoundment or 15 working days after service of the petition if the dog was not impounded.

The Police Chief bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence, and the hearing officer can order any combination of remedies: euthanasia for a vicious dog, a prohibition on owning or keeping any dog for up to 36 months, confinement to an enclosure meeting Penal Code Section 597t, muzzling and leashed control whenever off the owner's property, mandatory spay/neuter, licensing, photographs for identification, warning signs, and payment of the City's impoundment and hearing costs. 6.