Monterey County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

No Monterey County ordinance bans pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed, and none was found in the County's animal control materials. This is consistent with state law: California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 provides that no program regulating dogs may be specific as to breed, with a narrow exception (under Health and Safety Code section 122331) allowing breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter and breeding programs. Some California counties (for example Riverside and San Bernardino) have used that exception to require sterilization of pit bulls, but no such countywide breed-specific sterilization mandate was identified for unincorporated Monterey County. Instead, Monterey County addresses problem dogs through behavior-based dangerous and potentially dangerous dog rules and general nuisance provisions in MCC Title 8, mirroring the statewide framework in Food and Agricultural Code sections 31601-31683, which classify dogs as 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' based on their conduct rather than their breed. Renters, HOAs, and insurers may impose private breed limits, but those are not government ordinances. If you are concerned about a specific breed restriction, confirm directly with Monterey County Animal Services, because the County may adjust its ordinances over time.