Santa Clara County Animal Services microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or released from its shelter and registers the chip to the new owner. San Jose and other cities now require microchips at licensing, expanding the mandate beyond shelter exits.
SCC Animal Services Authority microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or transferred from its shelter and registers the chip to the recipient before release. Officers scan every impounded animal at intake to speed reunification. The county does not impose a universal owner-microchip mandate, but San Jose Municipal Code chapter 7.04 and several other cities now require microchipping for any dog or cat receiving a city license. Owners must keep registry contact information current. The mandate works alongside rabies and sterilization rules and helps reduce unclaimed shelter intakes.
In cities with microchip mandates, failing to chip a licensed pet, or letting registry data lapse, draws citations starting near fifty dollars. Animals impounded without traceable chips may incur additional reclaim fees before release to the owner.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, the County Noise Ordinance (Title B, Division B11, Chapter VIII of the County Ordinance Code) sets exterior noise limit...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, fence height is regulated by the County Zoning Ordinance administered by the Department of Planning and Development. Fe...
Santa Clara County, CA
ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County has banned the sale, posses...
Santa Clara County, CA
Residential pools and spas in unincorporated Santa Clara County are governed by California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929 (the Pool Sa...
Santa Clara County, CA
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows movable tiny homes as a substitute for one Accessory Dwelling Unit under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.015(E), adopt...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, sheds are regulated as accessory buildings under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.020. A shed whose combined length plus w...
See how Santa Clara County's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.