Calaveras County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Calaveras County Code §§ 6.04.030, 6.12.010
- Basis for designation
- Behavior, not breed
- Decision-maker
- Superior Court, after director petition
- Potentially dangerous rule
- 6-ft leash, secure enclosure, insurance
- Vicious dog outcome
- May be humanely destroyed
- Post-vicious ban
- No dog ownership for 3 years
Summary
Calaveras County doesn't ban any dog breed. Chapter 6.12 targets individual dogs based on documented behavior, letting the county petition the superior court to declare a dog 'potentially dangerous' after two unprovoked incidents in three years, or 'vicious' after an unprovoked attack causing severe injury, regardless of breed.
"Potentially dangerous dog" means any of the following: 1.Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner of the dog; ... The purpose of this chapter is to implement a program for the control of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs pursuant to and consistent with Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 31601) of Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code. This chapter does not apply to licensed kennels, humane society shelters, the county animal shelter, veterinarians, or to dogs while utilized by any police department or any law enforcement officer in the performance of police work.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
030 defines 'potentially dangerous dog' and 'vicious dog' entirely by conduct, not breed. A dog is potentially dangerous if, unprovoked, it twice within thirty-six months required someone off its owner's property to take defensive action to avoid injury, if it bit someone causing an injury short of severe, or if it twice attacked a domestic animal off its owner's property. 5(a), if, unprovoked, it inflicted severe injury on or killed a person, or if it was already listed as potentially dangerous and kept up the behavior after notice.
, and it exempts licensed kennels, humane society shelters, the county shelter, veterinarians, and police dogs performing police work. 020 requires petitioning the superior court, which holds a hearing within five to ten working days, and the owner can appeal an adverse finding to the appellate division within five days. 060 must be licensed, vaccinated and microchipped, may need liability insurance of one to five million dollars, must stay indoors or in a secure enclosure, and can only leave the property on a leash no longer than six feet under an adult's control. 080.
Violations & Fines
An owner who violates the conditions imposed on a potentially dangerous or vicious dog, such as failing to maintain the required enclosure, insurance, leash or microchip under Section 6.12.060 or 6.12.070, risks the dog's impoundment and, for a vicious dog, humane destruction under Section 6.12.070(A). An owner of a dog found vicious is barred from owning, possessing or controlling any dog for three years under Section 6.12.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Calaveras County ban pit bulls or other breeds?
What makes a dog 'potentially dangerous' under county law?
Who decides if my dog is declared dangerous?
What are the requirements if my dog is designated potentially dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Calaveras County
How Calaveras County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Calaveras County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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