Tuolumne County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None – no breed-specific restrictions
- Regulation basis
- Individual animal behavior
- Vicious/dangerous declaration
- By Animal Control after investigation
- Secure-enclosure violation
- Misdemeanor
- State authority
- CA Food & Ag Code § 31683
- Code section
- Tuolumne County Ord. Code 6.04 (vicious/dangerous)
Summary
Tuolumne County does not ban or restrict any dog breed. Instead, the County Animal Control Ordinance regulates individual dogs by behavior, declaring animals 'dangerous' or 'vicious' based on conduct such as biting or attacking. California state law also bars breed-specific dog bans.
DIVISION 14. REGULATION AND LICENSING OF DOGS [30501 - 31683] ( Division 14 enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. ) CHAPTER 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs [31601 - 31683] ( Chapter 9 added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 761, Sec. 1. ) ARTICLE 5. Miscellaneous [31681 - 31683] ( Article 5 added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 761, Sec. 1. ) 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. (Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 668, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Tuolumne County has no breed-specific legislation: no breed of dog is banned or singled out by the county code. The County Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 04, Ord. 3311, 2017) instead regulates 'dangerous' and 'vicious' animals based on the individual animal's behavior, not its breed. A 'vicious behavior' includes physically attacking, mauling, or injuring a person by biting, or attacking and injuring another lawfully maintained animal; 'dangerous behavior' includes posing a threat to public safety or attacking a person or animal in a way requiring defensive action.
When Animal Control verifies a bite or attack, it can declare the animal dangerous or vicious, require it to be kept in a secure enclosure, muzzled and leashed when outside, licensed yearly with special identification, and the owner must report any change of ownership, location, or the animal's death. The county adopted its own dangerous-dog program as authorized by California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683, incorporating only the state provisions it expressly identifies. This approach mirrors California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683, which prohibits cities and counties from enacting dog regulations that are specific to any breed. There is no pit-bull or other breed restriction in Tuolumne County.
Violations & Fines
Failing to keep a declared dangerous or vicious animal in an approved secure enclosure is a misdemeanor. Repeated dangerous or vicious behavior can lead Animal Control to petition the Tuolumne County Superior Court for humane destruction of the animal and possibly to bar the owner from owning a dog for up to three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls or any breeds banned in Tuolumne County?
What does Tuolumne County require for a dog declared dangerous or vicious?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tuolumne County
How Tuolumne County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Tuolumne County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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