Santa Maria, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- License trigger age
- Over 4 months old
- Unaltered License requires
- Signed Veterinary Certificate
- Disqualifiers
- 3 at-large citations in 12 months
- Altered cats
- Exempt from any license (§ 5-3.302(c))
- Violation classification
- Infraction
- Unaltered License doubles as
- A breeder's license
Summary
Santa Maria doesn't order every pet fixed by force, but Section 5-3.301(a)(3) requires every dog or cat over four months old to carry an Unaltered Animal License, which needs a veterinarian's written authorization, or be spayed or neutered. Owners cited for dog attacks or three at-large violations are barred from the unaltered option entirely.
Every owner in the City of a dog or cat over four months of age must obtain an Unaltered Animal License for the animal, or the owner shall have the dog or cat spayed or neutered. ... Owners of unaltered dogs and cats may purchase an Unaltered Animal License from the County if a California licensed veterinarian issues a Veterinary Certificate stating in writing that the owner has discussed the objectives and purpose for owning the dog or cat with the veterinarian, and after considering the overall circumstances, including the age and health of the animal, the veterinarian authorizes the owner to purchase an Unaltered Animal License.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818069; v9 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
Article 3's licensing scheme functions as Santa Maria's de facto mandatory spay/neuter law. 301(a)(3) states every owner in the City of a dog or cat over four months of age must obtain an Unaltered Animal License for the animal, or have the dog or cat spayed or neutered. 301(a) requires a California-licensed veterinarian to issue a written Veterinary Certificate confirming the vet discussed the owner's reasons for keeping the animal intact and, weighing age and health, authorizes the purchase; a fresh certificate is required every renewal.
301(b) bars three categories of owners from the Unaltered License regardless of a vet's authorization: anyone whose dog has been impounded or cited for running at large three times in 12 months, anyone convicted of crimes against animals or domestic violence, and anyone found guilty under this chapter after their dog bit or attacked someone while at large. 301(h)). 302(c). 301(d)).
Violations & Fines
Owning, keeping or controlling an unlicensed dog, or an unaltered cat without the required license, is an infraction under Section 5-3.301. An owner who fails to either obtain the Unaltered Animal License or have the animal spayed or neutered is out of compliance with Section 5-3.301(a)(3) and subject to citation, and repeat at-large or bite incidents can permanently disqualify the owner from ever obtaining the unaltered option again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Maria a mandatory spay/neuter city?
Can I just pay for an unaltered dog license without a vet's OK?
Who can never get an unaltered animal license in Santa Maria?
Do I need to license my spayed dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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