Marin County has no breed-specific ban. California Food and Agricultural Code § 31683 preempts local breed-based bans, although mandatory spay/neuter ordinances by breed are permitted. The County instead regulates individual dogs through its Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dog ordinance, § 8.04.181.
California Food and Agricultural Code § 31683 prohibits cities and counties from adopting breed-specific legislation that declares a particular dog breed dangerous or vicious; only spay/neuter and breeding requirements may be breed-specific. Marin County does not maintain a breed-specific ban. Instead, Marin County Code § 8.04.181 (Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs) implements California Food and Ag Code §§ 31601-31683 by allowing the County Administrator or designee to declare an individual dog 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' after notice and a hearing under FAC § 31621. Owners of a dog declared potentially dangerous must pay an annual fee in addition to the regular license fee (per FAC § 31641) and comply with confinement and identification requirements. A dog may be removed from the potentially dangerous list after 36 months with no further Title 8 violations.
Failure to comply with a potentially dangerous or vicious dog designation (e.g., confinement, signage, license fee, microchipping) is a misdemeanor under state law and may result in impoundment or, for a 'vicious' designation, destruction of the dog under FAC § 31645.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how San Rafael's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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