Pleasanton, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 7.20 Vicious Dogs, §§ 7.20.020-.080
- Basis for finding
- Bite history and circumstances, not breed
- Hearing deadline
- Within 10 business days of certification
- Possible outcomes
- Destruction, removal, or abatement as nuisance
- Appeal
- Superior court under Code Civ. Proc. § 1094.5
Summary
Pleasanton has no breed ban; instead Chapter 7.20 lets the health officer certify an individual dog as "vicious" based on its bite history and circumstances, triggering confinement, a city-manager hearing, and possible removal, destruction or abatement of the dog as a public nuisance.
A "vicious dog" shall mean a dog with a propensity to bite human beings or other animals. In determining whether a dog is vicious, the following factors shall be considered: A. Whether and how many times the dog has bitten human beings; B. Whether and how many times the dog has bitten other animals; C. Whether a biting or bitings have occurred while the dog was under the control or on the property of the owner thereof; D. The severity of any bite or bitings; E. The circumstances surrounding any bite or bitings, including, but not limited to, whether the dog was provoked, whether the biting or bitings occurred during play with the animal and density of population in the area in which the dog is kept.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4955754; v17 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
020 defines a "vicious dog" as one "with a propensity to bite human beings or other animals," evaluated case by case rather than by breed: how many times the dog has bitten people or other animals, whether the biting happened under the owner's control or on the owner's property, the severity of any bite, and surrounding circumstances such as provocation, play, or neighborhood population density. 020); if probable cause supports a vicious finding, the officer certifies that in writing to the city clerk, and the dog is confined at the owner's expense pending a hearing.
The city clerk must schedule a hearing before the city manager or designee within ten business days and mail notice at least five business days ahead. If the hearing officer finds the dog vicious, it is declared a public nuisance and may be humanely destroyed, removed from the city, or otherwise abated, with abatement costs becoming a lien on the owner's property if unpaid. 5, and can request a stay of up to 30 days by showing the public is adequately protected in the meantime.
Violations & Fines
Vicious-dog proceedings under Chapter 7.20 are civil abatement actions, not criminal infractions: costs of confinement and destruction/removal are billed to the owner and, if unpaid, become a lien collectible on the next property tax roll under § 7.20.100, plus attorney fees if the city must sue to collect under § 7.20.110. Separately, Title 7 as a whole is designated an infraction chapter under § 1.12.020 for related violations such as failing to confine a quarantined animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pleasanton ban specific dog breeds?
Who decides if a dog is 'vicious' in Pleasanton?
Can I appeal a vicious dog ruling in Pleasanton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pleasanton
How Pleasanton compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Pleasanton to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle breed restrictions.