Alhambra, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Spay/neuter age
- Required by 6 months old
- County default age
- 4 months (raised by Alhambra)
- Opt-out
- Unaltered-dog license under ACO § 10.20.355
- Governing section
- Alhambra Municipal Code § 7.04.030(B)
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 4677 (2015), amended Ord. 4814 (2023)
- Violation class
- Infraction under § 7.04.060(A)
Summary
Alhambra requires every dog over six months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner instead obtains an unaltered-dog license. Municipal Code § 7.04.030(B) raises the county Animal Control Ordinance's default age from four months to six months for dogs kept or harbored anywhere in the city, tightening the standard set out in ACO § 10.20.350.
(B) ACO Section 10.20.350 “A” is amended to require the spay and neuter of dogs at six months instead of four months to read as follows: “A. No person may own, keep, or harbor a dog over the age of six months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with Section 10.20.355.”
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
030(B) of the Alhambra Municipal Code, added by Ord. 4677 on November 9, 2015 and amended by Ord. 350(A) as it applies within the city. 355. The unaltered-dog license is the ACO's opt-out path for owners who want to keep an intact dog, and it must be obtained instead of altering the animal. 10 and layers city amendments on top of it, the six-month standard is enforced through the county-based animal control system operating under Alhambra's own ordinance, not a stand-alone city shelter. 04's amendments. 050 rather than fixed dollar figures in the text of the chapter itself.
Violations & Fines
Owning, keeping or harboring a dog over six months old that is not spayed or neutered, without holding an unaltered-dog license under ACO § 10.20.355, violates § 10.20.350(A) as amended by Alhambra Municipal Code § 7.04.030(B). That section is not on the misdemeanor list in § 7.04.060(B), so under § 7.04.060(A) a violation is enforced as an infraction under Chapter 1.12 of the Alhambra Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age must I spay or neuter my dog in Alhambra?
Can I keep an intact (unaltered) dog past six months?
Does this rule apply to cats too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
California rules heatmap·Compare Alhambra to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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