Pomona Breed Restrictions Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Pomona's approach to dog regulation follows the behavior-based framework mandated by California state law. Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 explicitly prohibits any California city or county from adopting or enforcing an ordinance that targets specific dog breeds, declaring any particular breed dangerous, or imposing ownership bans, mandatory insurance, or special containment requirements based on breed alone. This preemption applies uniformly across the state, and Pomona's Municipal Code Title 6 is fully compliant with this requirement. No breed — including pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, or any other commonly targeted breed — faces any special restriction in Pomona.

Instead of breed-specific rules, Pomona relies on the state's potentially dangerous and vicious dog classification system. A dog may be declared potentially dangerous if it has, on two separate occasions within 36 months, behaved aggressively enough to require a person to defend themselves while off the owner's property, or if it has bitten a person without provocation causing a non-severe injury. A dog declared vicious has either killed or seriously injured a person, or was previously declared potentially dangerous and the behavior continued. The classification process involves a hearing before an Animal Control hearing officer, and the owner has the right to appeal.

Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must keep the animal on a leash no longer than 6 feet whenever off the owner's property and ensure secure confinement at home. Owners of vicious dogs face more stringent requirements: the dog must be kept in a locked enclosure meeting specific construction standards when outside the home, the owner must carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance, and annual registration with LA County Animal Care and Control is mandatory. Pomona Animal Control, operating under contract with LA County, enforces these provisions and investigates all bite reports and aggressive behavior complaints.