Pacifica, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- First unaltered impound
- $100 refundable spay/neuter fee
- Second impound within 3 years
- mandatory spay/neuter before redemption
- Refund window
- 30 calendar days' proof of surgery
- Who pays
- owner or caretaker
- Appeal available
- administrative hearing under § 6-1.228(c)
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, an unaltered animal impounded a second time within three years must be spayed or neutered before it can be redeemed, at the owner's cost, under Pacifica Municipal Code Section 6-1.228(b). Any first-time redemption of an unaltered animal also carries a refundable $100 spay or neuter fee under Section 6-1.228(a).
(a)Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the person responsible for the care, custody or control of any animal will be required to pay a spay or neuter fee in the amount of One Hundred and no/100ths ($100.00) Dollars in addition to the impound fees imposed under Section 6-1.230 of this article. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spay and neuter of the animal within thirty (30) calendar days following the date of redemption.(b)Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period shall be altered at a cost to be paid by the owner/caretaker or person responsible for the care, custody, or control of said animal prior to redemption.
Full Breakdown
Pacifica's mandatory spay and neuter rule is tied to the impound process rather than to pet ownership generally. 230; that $100 is refunded if the owner provides proof the animal was actually altered within thirty calendar days of redemption. 228(b) removes the choice: the animal must be spayed or neutered before it can be redeemed at all, at the owner's or caretaker's expense, though the owner may choose to have a private veterinarian perform the surgery within thirty calendar days. 228(c) lets an owner appeal the mandatory alteration requirement by requesting an administrative hearing with the Animal Control Program Manager under the same hearing procedures used for dangerous animal cases.
228(d) lets the Animal Control Program Manager waive spay/neuter, vaccination, or impound fees entirely for a feral or stray cat if the person surrendering it gives up any right to direct the cat's treatment or disposition.
Violations & Fines
An owner who redeems a twice-impounded unaltered animal without having it altered first is not permitted to redeem it at all under Section 6-1.228(b); the surgery is a precondition of release, not a fine to be paid instead. An owner may appeal the mandatory-alteration requirement to a hearing officer under Section 6-1.228(c), but absent a successful appeal, the impound fee, the $100 spay/neuter fee where applicable, and proof of alteration must all be satisfied before the animal is returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pacifica require all pets to be spayed or neutered?
What is the $100 fee when I pick up my impounded dog?
Can I get my second-time impounded pet back without altering it?
Can I contest the mandatory spay/neuter requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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