Daly City, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Under Daly City Municipal Code Section 6.04.280 (adopted by Ordinance No. 1470 in 2024 to mirror the San Mateo County animal control ordinance), anyone redeeming an impounded unaltered animal must pay a $100.00 spay or neuter fee on top of impound fees; the fee is refunded if the owner proves the animal was altered within 30 calendar days. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period must be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense before redemption, with an appeal available through the administrative hearing process. Separately, animals declared dangerous must be spayed or neutered by a California licensed veterinarian within 45 days under Section 6.04.100(a)(13), and the countywide program requires an annual breeding permit ($150 under Section 6.04.350(d)) for any unaltered dog or cat over six months. The licensing fee schedule also pushes sterilization economically: a one-year license is $55.00 for an unaltered dog versus $25.00 for an altered dog, and $20.00 versus $8.00 for cats. The animal control program is required by Section 6.04.020(a)(13) to provide or make available low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for dogs, cats, and rabbits.