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.
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.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle breed restrictions.
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