Los Angeles, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Electronic animal identification device (microchip) required for all pets
- Scope
- Rental units in City-publicly-financed housing developments
- Also required
- Spay/neuter, vaccination, and licensing (if required by law)
- Pets covered
- Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, small rodents, fish, turtles (not livestock)
- Effective date
- August 25, 2019 (Ord. No. 186,228)
Summary
Pets kept in City-publicly-financed rental housing must be implanted with an electronic animal identification microchip. Landlords who receive public financing from the City must allow tenants to keep pets that meet this requirement.
Each pet maintained pursuant to this article shall be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, implanted with an electronic animal identification device (microchip) and, if required, licensed. The pet shall be maintained consistent with all state and local laws and regulations, and not constitute a nuisance to the housing development and/or to the other tenants. (LAMC § 51.22 B)
'Pet' means a common household domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, mouse, rat or similar small rodent, fish or turtle that is kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. 'Pet' does not include any equine (including any horse, pony, donkey, burro or mule), swine, sheep, goat, cattle, poultry or other similar livestock. (LAMC § 51.21 B)
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 51.22 B requires that every pet in a publicly-financed housing development be 'implanted with an electronic animal identification device (microchip),' in addition to being spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and licensed if required. This rule applies to new publicly-financed multifamily developments and to existing ones that receive additional City financing or contractual amendments after August 25, 2019. The definition of 'Pet' in § 51.21 B includes dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, mice, rats, fish, and turtles, but not livestock or equines. The microchipping requirement is a condition for the tenant's right to keep a pet in that housing, not a standalone citywide mandate.
Violations & Fines
Violations subject landlords to civil liability including actual damages or three times one month's rent (whichever is higher), plus attorney's fees. Tenants may also assert the provision as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action involving pet ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is microchipping required for all pets in Los Angeles?
What counts as a 'pet' under this microchipping rule?
Does this rule apply to my apartment building that has a Section 8 rental subsidy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Microchipping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle microchipping.