Santa Barbara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

County Code Sec. 7-18(1) starts from a default duty: owners of dogs and cats over six months of age whose animal does not qualify for an unaltered animal license must have that dog or cat spayed or neutered. The only way around the mandate is the unaltered license itself, and it is not automatic. A California-licensed veterinarian must issue a certificate stating that the owner discussed the objectives and purpose of owning the animal with the vet, and, weighing the animal's age and health, the vet either concludes the owner and animal are best served by an unaltered license or otherwise authorizes the purchase.

A fresh veterinary certificate is required every time the license is renewed, and the certificate itself is valid for one year or the license term, whichever is longer. The mandate does not apply to owners visiting the county for thirty days or less, or to owners of dogs and cats kept on parcels zoned AG-II with a minimum parcel size of forty acres. Sec. 7-18(2) further bars certain owners from ever qualifying for the unaltered license regardless of veterinary certification: those whose dog or cat was impounded or cited at large three times in a year, those convicted of crimes against animals or domestic violence, and dog owners found guilty of an infraction or misdemeanor after their dog bit, attacked, or injured a person or animal while running at large.