Roseville, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 confirms that cities may adopt their own potentially-dangerous-dog program that may incorporate all, part, or none of the state's chapter and may even make violations a misdemeanor or impose stricter controls than the state does, but it flatly bars any local program from being specific as to breed. Roseville's program lives in Chapters 7.46 (Potentially Vicious Dogs) and 7.48 (Vicious Dogs) and turns entirely on documented incidents: a dog can be declared potentially vicious after an unprovoked bite, an aggressive encounter that forces a defensive reaction, or an attack on another domestic animal requiring veterinary care (§ 7.04.145), regardless of breed.

The animal control officer may impound a potentially vicious or vicious dog for up to 30 days of observation, release it on conditions needed to protect public safety, or, for a declared vicious dog, order it destroyed if release would threaten public safety (§§ 7.46.030, 7.48.020). An owner who disputes a potentially vicious classification has 10 days after mailed or personal notice to request a hearing before the police chief or a designee; the hearing must be held with five days' notice to the owner and any victims, must stay open to the public, and ends in written findings that are final (§ 7.46.070).

A dog that goes 36 months without another qualifying incident is no longer classified as potentially vicious, though a repeat incident restarts the classification (§ 7.46.070(E)). Owners relocating a dog already declared dangerous in another jurisdiction must notify Roseville's animal control officer within 10 days of bringing the dog into the city, and the dog is automatically deemed potentially vicious here (§ 7.46.090). Administrative citations for potentially vicious dogs are issued under Chapter 2.50 of the Roseville Municipal Code (§ 7.46.030(C)).