Santa Clarita, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must comply
- Owners of dogs over 4 months
- Reporting duty
- Give chip number to department
- Update duty
- Notify on ownership/address/phone change
- Fine
- None; Sec. 8.20.375(C) waives fine
- Adopted
- Ordinance 06-11, Dec. 12, 2006
Summary
Every dog over four months old in Santa Clarita must carry an implanted microchip under Section 8.20.185, and owners must give the Department of Animal Care and Control the chip number and update it with the department and the chip's national registry whenever the dog changes owners, address or phone number.
All dogs over the age of four (4) months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the department, and shall notify the department and the national registry applicable to the implanted chip of a change of ownership of the dog, or a change of address or telephone number. ... There will be no fine for failure to microchip a dog as defined in Section 8.20.185.
Full Breakdown
185, adopted by Ordinance 06-11 on December 12, 2006, requires that all dogs over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The same section makes the owner or custodian responsible for two follow-up duties: providing the microchip number to the department, and notifying the department and the national registry applicable to the implanted chip of a change of ownership of the dog, or a change of address or telephone number. 370(C) requires the microchip number of any puppy sold or transferred to be reported to the department within ten days.
185. Enforcement instead comes through the licensing and transfer paperwork, since the department requires a microchip number on file to process transfers and unaltered-dog license applications.
Violations & Fines
Failing to microchip a dog over four months old does not carry a standalone fine: Section 8.20.375(C) expressly states there is no fine for a microchipping violation under Section 8.20.185. The practical consequence instead shows up at license renewal, an ownership transfer, or an unaltered-dog license application, all of which require the department to have a valid microchip number on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my dog required to have a microchip in Santa Clarita?
Will I be fined for not microchipping my dog?
What happens if I sell or give away my dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
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Microchipping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle microchipping.