San Luis Obispo County, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code Sec. 9.03.001
- Applies to
- dogs and cats over 4 months old
- Health exemption
- vet certificate of serious health risk
- Age grandfather
- over 8 years old as of Jan. 1, 2022
- Shelter rule
- microchip required before redemption/adoption
Summary
Every dog and cat over four months old in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must carry an identifying microchip under County Code Section 9.03.001, with narrow health and age-based exemptions and mandatory microchipping before an impounded pet can be redeemed or adopted.
9.03.001 - Microchipping required.(a)All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip.(b)This provision shall not apply to:(1)Dogs or cats for which a veterinarian licensed to practice within the state of California has issued a certificate indicating that such procedure would pose a serious risk to the health or life of the animal. Such certificate shall be issued in a form as prescribed by the division.(2)Dogs or cats over eight years of age on January 1, 2022.(c)Any dog or cat without a microchip impounded by the division shall be microchipped prior to redemption or adoption.
Full Breakdown
001(a) requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be implanted with an identifying microchip. Subsection (b) carves out two exemptions: an animal for which a California-licensed veterinarian has issued a certificate, in a form the Animal Services Division prescribes, stating the procedure would pose a serious risk to the animal's health or life; and dogs or cats that were already over eight years old as of January 1, 2022, grandfathering older pets in place when the ordinance took effect. Subsection (c) closes the loop at the shelter: any dog or cat impounded by the division without a microchip must be microchipped before it can be redeemed by its owner or adopted out to a new one, so every animal leaving the shelter system carries identification going forward. 010 to log the disposition of every impounded animal.
Violations & Fines
Failure to microchip a dog or cat over four months old, absent a qualifying veterinary or age exemption, is a violation of Title 9, treated as an infraction under Section 9.01.012, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense. An unchipped animal impounded by the division will not be released to its owner or a new adopter until it is microchipped under Section 9.03.001(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age must my puppy or kitten be microchipped?
Is my senior dog exempt from the microchip rule?
What if my vet says microchipping is risky for my pet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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