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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Breed-specific bans
Preempted by Cal. Food & Ag. Code Section 31683
Pit bulls / Rottweilers legal?
Yes
Local approach
Behavior-based 'restricted' / 'vicious' declarations
Dog bite civil liability
Strict liability (Cal. Civ. Code Section 3342)
Spay/neuter ordinances by breed
Allowed (Cal. H&S Code Section 122331)

Summary

Santa Maria has no breed-specific ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds are legal to own. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dog ordinances statewide except narrow spay/neuter rules. Santa Maria instead uses behavior-based 'restricted' and 'vicious' dog procedures under Chapter 5-3.

Except as provided in Section 122331 of the Health and Safety Code, no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed. 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.

Source: Santa Maria Codes and DocumentsView official code

Full Breakdown

California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 provides that 'no program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed' except for spay, neuter, and breeding programs authorized under Health and Safety Code Section 122331. This statewide preemption (added by SB 428 in 1989 and modified by SB 861 in 2005) means Santa Maria cannot enact a pit bull ban or similar breed restriction, and it has not done so. ' A dog already declared dangerous in another jurisdiction can be designated restricted or vicious in Santa Maria based on the same behavior.

Owners of declared vicious dogs face confinement, muzzling, insurance, and signage requirements, or in serious cases, destruction of the dog. Statewide, California Civil Code Section 3342 imposes strict liability on the owner of any dog that bites a person in a public place or while the bitten person is lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog's prior viciousness or the owner's knowledge.

Violations & Fines

Owning a dog declared vicious without complying with confinement/muzzling/insurance terms set by the Animal Services Director is a misdemeanor and can result in seizure and destruction of the animal. Strict civil liability for bites also attaches under Cal. Civ. Code Section 3342, with no 'one free bite' defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I own a pit bull in Santa Maria?
Yes. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed bans statewide, and Santa Maria has no breed-specific restriction in its Municipal Code. The city only regulates dogs based on their actual behavior.
What happens if a dog in Santa Maria bites someone?
The dog can be declared 'potentially dangerous,' 'restricted,' or 'vicious' after an administrative hearing under Chapter 5-3, Article 2, regardless of breed. The owner is also strictly liable for the bite victim's damages under California Civil Code Section 3342, even if the dog had never bitten before.
Are homeowners' insurance breed exclusions legal?
Yes. The Cal. Food and Ag. Code Section 31683 preemption applies to government breed regulations, not to private insurance underwriting. Many California insurers still decline to cover certain breeds even though the city cannot ban them.

Sources & Official References

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All Santa Maria rules

How Santa Maria compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview

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