Palm Springs, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Palm Springs does not ban any specific dog breed. Under California Food and Agriculture Code §31683, California cities and counties may not enact breed-specific legislation prohibiting ownership of a specific breed, although they may adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding-permit requirements. Palm Springs has not adopted such breed-specific measures. Instead, the city and Riverside County Animal Services regulate dangerous and vicious dogs based on individual behavior under California Food and Agriculture Code §§31601–31683 and PSMC Ch. 80. A 'potentially dangerous' dog is one that has, without provocation, caused a person to defensively retreat twice in three years, bitten or injured a person without causing severe injury, or killed or severely injured another domestic animal off the owner's property.

A 'vicious' dog is one that has caused severe injury or death to a person or has been declared potentially dangerous and subsequently committed another qualifying act. A hearing before the animal control hearing officer is required before an official designation. Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must keep the dog inside a secure enclosure, on leash and muzzled off premises, with proof of liability insurance in some cases. Vicious dogs may be ordered destroyed or permanently confined. Landlords and HOAs may restrict specific breeds by private contract, and homeowner insurance policies commonly exclude certain breeds; those are private matters outside municipal authority. All dogs in Palm Springs must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated annually under Riverside County requirements.