Imperial County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis
- behavior, not breed
- Trigger
- one bite, attack or chase
- Hearing window
- 7 days to request
- Destruction threshold
- 2 incidents in 36 months
- Possible conditions
- insurance, registration, microchip, spay/neuter
Summary
Imperial County has no breed ban: dangerous-animal rules under Chapter 6.16 turn on an animal's conduct, not its breed, and let the county issue a restraint order once an animal has attacked, bitten or menaced a person or animal.
If a county officer has cause to believe that an animal is a potentially dangerous animal, the animal control officer shall issue a potentially dangerous animal restraint order to the owner(s) or custodian(s) of any such dog or animal that fits the description of a potentially dangerous animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6.16 defines "potentially dangerous" and "vicious" animals by what they've done: pursuing, attacking or biting a person or another animal, with no breed named anywhere in the definitions. Once an animal control officer has cause to believe an animal fits the description, Section 6.16.030 requires a written restraint order to the owner, mandating a secure enclosure; the owner can request a hearing within seven days. An animal that reaches two harmful incidents in 36 months can be impounded and destroyed under Section 6.16.040, which also lets the county impose liability insurance, registration, microchipping, spay/neuter or warning-sign conditions instead.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a restraint order or keeping a declared animal without required confinement is unlawful under Section 6.16.050; repeat harmful incidents within 36 months expose the animal to impoundment and destruction under Section 6.16.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Imperial County ban pit bulls or other breeds?
What happens after an animal is declared potentially dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
How Imperial County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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