Santa Barbara, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

The City of Santa Barbara has no breed-specific ban. Pit bulls and other commonly restricted breeds are legal to own in the City. This follows California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683, which prohibits any local dog-control program from being specific as to breed, except for spay/neuter and breeding requirements; no breed or mixed breed may be declared potentially dangerous or vicious based on breed alone. Instead, the City addresses individual dogs through Municipal Code Chapter 6.22 (Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs). The Animal Control Supervisor or an animal control officer evaluates whether a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious based on behavior, such as whether it has bitten, its temperament or ferocity, its reputation, and its propensity to bite without provocation. If there is probable cause, an administrative hearing is set. A hearing officer may impose conditions including fencing the yard, muzzling in public, obedience training, liability insurance, a secure enclosure, and posted notices; a vicious-dog determination can include a multi-year prohibition on owning dogs. A dog found vicious may be destroyed if, after a hearing, its release would create a significant threat to public health, safety, or welfare. State law, not a local breed list, governs the framework.