El Dorado County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing state law
- Food & Ag. Code §§ 31601-31683
- Off-property leash limit
- 6 feet for declared dogs
- Spay/neuter deadline
- 30 days after hearing
- Liability insurance
- $100,000 minimum if injury occurred
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
- Designation duration
- Life of dog, min. 36 months
Summary
El Dorado County enforces state Food and Agricultural Code sections 31601 through 31683 for potentially dangerous and vicious dogs under Code section 6.12.050, adding local triggers: an off-leash attack that injures a domestic animal counts even with no human victim, and Animal Control can seek euthanasia once a hearing declares a dog vicious.
A. Food and Agriculture Code §§ 31601 to 31683 shall be operative in the County for the control of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs except as modified in this section. B. Potentially dangerous dog defined. A potentially dangerous dog is any dog which qualifies as a potentially dangerous dog in accordance with Food and Agricultural Code § 31601. Additionally, any dog which while off it's owners or custodians' property and not controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable to restrain the animal attacks and inflicts injury to any domestic animal while such animal is on it's owners property, custodians property, or controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable to restrain the animal in compliance with Section 6.12.070. C. Vicious dog defined. A vicious dog is any dog which qualifies as a vicious dog in accordance with Food and Agricultural Code § 31602. D. Animal Control may request a dog be humanely euthanized after it is determined to be vicious.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
' After a hearing declares a dog potentially dangerous or vicious, the owner must license, microchip and vaccinate it at their own expense within 15 days if Animal Control doesn't already have custody; keep it indoors or in a securely fenced, locked enclosure that children cannot enter; and, if it ever leaves the property, restrain it on a substantial leash no longer than six feet under the control of a capable adult. Owners must also have the dog spayed or neutered within 30 days of the hearing order, put a bright fluorescent collar visible at 50 feet on the dog at all times, carry $100,000 in liability insurance or a bond if the dog injured a person, and post bilingual warning signs at the property's normal entry points.
Written notice of the designation must go to local law enforcement, the fire department, the post office, utility providers, the veterinarian, any grooming facility, the insurer and the landlord within 30 days. The designation follows the dog for life, though an owner can petition the court for modification after 36 months.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with a potentially dangerous or vicious dog order is a misdemeanor under Section 6.12.050(L) and Section 6.12.051, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in County jail, or both, and Animal Control can seize and impound the dog pending a hearing. The District Attorney has discretion to charge violations as infractions instead when circumstances warrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a dog 'potentially dangerous' in El Dorado County?
What must I do once my dog is declared vicious?
Can a declared vicious dog ever leave the property?
What is the penalty for violating a dangerous dog order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
How El Dorado County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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