Vacaville, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Vacaville's municipal code contains no breed ban. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 expressly preempts local breed-specific ordinances declaring any particular breed inherently dangerous, vicious, or potentially dangerous; the only exception (Section 122331(b) of the Health & Safety Code) allows local mandatory spay/neuter or breeding programs targeted at a specific breed. Vacaville instead relies on a behavior-based framework: VMC Chapter 6.16 (Dangerous Animals) makes it unlawful to possess, own, or control any animal that has been deemed by another governmental jurisdiction to be potentially dangerous, dangerous, vicious, or a threat to safety. Individual dogs in Vacaville that bite, attack, or repeatedly threaten people or animals may be designated potentially dangerous or vicious by a hearing officer under California Food & Ag Code Section 31601 et seq. Owners of dogs so designated must comply with confinement, leash, and muzzle conditions under Section 31641. Insurance carriers may still apply private breed exclusions; those are private underwriting decisions, not Vacaville law.