Rancho Cordova, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- 1st impound fine
- $35.00
- 2nd impound fine
- $50.00
- 3rd+ impound fine
- $100.00
- State authority cited
- Food & Ag. Code §§ 30804.7, 31751.7
- Fine use
- humane education, low-cost spay/neuter
Summary
Rancho Cordova does not force every owner to sterilize a pet, but it fines owners of an impounded unaltered dog or cat on an escalating scale: $35 the first time, $50 the second, and $100 for the third or later occurrence, on top of any impound fees.
The owner of a nonspayed or unneutered dog or cat that is impounded by animal services shall be fined $35.00 on the first occurrence, $50.00 on the second occurrence, and $100.00 for the third or subsequent occurrence. These fines are for unaltered impounded dogs and cats only, and are not in lieu of any fines or impound fees imposed by the Sacramento SPCA. ... This section is adopted pursuant to Sections 30804.7 and 31751.7 of the California Food and Agriculture Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
020 targets sterilization specifically at the point of impoundment rather than at every household. 00 for the third or subsequent occurrence; the section is explicit that these fines apply only to unaltered impounded dogs and cats and are not in lieu of any fines or impound fees the Sacramento SPCA separately imposes. Any animal services officer, humane officer, police officer, peace officer, or agency authorized to enforce the Penal Code may write a citation carrying the applicable civil penalty. 7 of the California Food and Agricultural Code.
Collected fines are earmarked for a specific purpose rather than the general fund, going toward humane education, low-cost spay and neuter programs, and the city's or the Sacramento SPCA's administrative costs in enforcing the section. 005 applies, and a veterinarian's sterilization certificate cuts the license fee to half the intact rate.
Violations & Fines
The escalating $35/$50/$100 fine schedule in § 8.08.020 applies specifically to repeat impoundments of an unaltered animal and is collected at the city animal services agency. Beyond that fine, a Title 8 violation generally may be charged as a misdemeanor or handled through administrative or civil penalties under RCMC § 8.04.050 and § 16.18.205(A), (F), (G), and (H), and failure to obey a resulting administrative citation is itself a misdemeanor under § 1.01.190(K).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rancho Cordova require every pet to be spayed or neutered?
How much is the fine if my unaltered dog is impounded more than once?
Where does the money from unaltered-pet fines go?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle mandatory spay/neuter.