Santa Clara, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Ban Authority
- Preempted by CA F&A 31683
- Banned Breeds in Santa Clara
- None
- Dangerous Dog Classification
- Based on individual behavior
- Animal Services
- (408) 764-0344
- Landlord/Insurance Rules
- Not preempted
Summary
Santa Clara does not restrict dog ownership by breed due to California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preemption, but may declare specific dogs dangerous based on individual behavior.
31683. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as provided in Section 122331 of the Health and Safety Code, no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed.
Full Breakdown
California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts California cities and counties from enacting breed-specific legislation banning particular dog breeds. Santa Clara therefore does not prohibit pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or any other breed. The state does allow local jurisdictions to enact breed-specific spay and neuter or breeding permit requirements, but Santa Clara has not adopted such measures. What Santa Clara can and does do under City Code Chapter 6.10 is declare individual dogs Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous based on specific bite history, attacks on other animals, or threatening behavior, regardless of breed. Dogs so classified may be required to be muzzled, leashed, confined, insured, or in severe cases euthanized through a hearing process. Landlords and homeowner insurance companies may impose their own breed restrictions, which are not preempted by state law. Santa Clara County Animal Services Authority at (408) 764-0344 handles dangerous dog declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Santa Clara?
Can my landlord still ban certain breeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
How Santa Clara compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle breed restrictions.