Hesperia, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensed dog, 2nd offense
- spay/neuter required
- Unlicensed dog, 1st offense
- spay/neuter required
- Microchipping
- required at owner's expense
- City manager exception
- one-time, for good cause
- Enforced by
- Hesperia Animal Control
Summary
Dogs impounded by Hesperia animal control face mandatory spaying or neutering: unlicensed dogs on the first violation, licensed dogs on the second, all at the owner's expense under Municipal Code § 6.08.020(D).
If the dog is properly licensed, the first offense shall allow the dog to be returned to the owner without being spayed or neutered The animal shall be microchipped by the animal control department (or designee) prior to return to the owner, at the owner's expense. The second violation shall require the dog to be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.2.If the dog is not properly licensed, upon the first violation, the dog shall be returned to the owner only after the dog is properly licensed, microchipped, and spayed or neutered by the animal control department (or designee) at the owner's expense. The city manager, or designee, may approve a one-time exception to spaying or neutering the animal if the owner shows good cause to the manager that such an action is not warranted. Should the exception be granted, the animal shall be licensed, and microchipped at the owner's expense, and the owner shall pay the reclaiming fee, as adopted by city council, before the animal is returned to them. The second violation shall require the dog to be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense. Any dog impounded to enforce this requirement, and left unclaimed shall become the property of the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Hesperia doesn't mandate spay/neuter for all dogs, but it does for any dog picked up running at large. An unlicensed dog impounded for the first time must be licensed, microchipped, and spayed or neutered before it's returned to the owner. A licensed dog gets one pass, returned microchipped but intact, then must be spayed or neutered if impounded again. The city manager may grant a one-time exception on unlicensed first offenses for good cause. All costs, including the reclaiming fee, fall on the owner. The requirement also applies whenever a dog is cited for exceeding the animal limits set in HMC § 16.20.690.
Violations & Fines
Owners who don't comply pay for spay/neuter, microchipping, and licensing before reclaiming the dog, plus a reclaiming fee; unclaimed dogs become city property. General code violations carry up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail as a misdemeanor, or a reduced infraction fine, under HMC § 1.12.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hesperia require spaying or neutering all dogs?
Can I avoid the spay/neuter requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hesperia
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