San Diego, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SDMC § 42.0707
- Covered animals
- Dogs, cats, rabbits
- Source requirement
- Shelter, humane society, or rescue only
- Adoption use allowed
- Yes, on-site shelter/rescue adoptions
- Breeder exemption
- Sales from breeding premises exempt
Summary
San Diego bans pet shops from selling live dogs, cats, or rabbits unless the animal came from a shelter, humane society, or rescue group, per SDMC §42.0707.
It is unlawful for any person to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell any live dog, cat, or rabbit in any pet shop, retail business, or other commercial establishment located in the City of San Diego, unless the dog, cat, or rabbit was obtained from a city or county animal shelter or animal control agency, a humane society, or a non-profit rescue organization. All pet shops, retail businesses, or other commercial establishments selling dogs, cats, or rabbits shall maintain a certificate of source for each of the animals and make it available upon request to animal control officers, law enforcement, code compliance officials, or any other City employee charged with enforcing the provisions of this section.
(1) For purposes of this section, a commercial establishment is defined as any for-profit business enterprise, including a sole proprietorship engaged in retail or wholesale commerce related to dogs, cats, and rabbits, including grooming parlors, canine day care, and boarding facilities.
Full Breakdown
Under San Diego Municipal Code §42.0707, no pet shop, retail business, or other commercial establishment in the city may display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell a live dog, cat, or rabbit unless it came from a city or county animal shelter, animal control agency, humane society, or non-profit rescue organization. Sellers must keep a certificate of source for each animal and produce it on request to animal control, police, or code compliance. The ban does not apply to breeders selling from the premises where the animal was bred and reared, and shops may still house shelter or rescue animals on-site for public adoption.
Violations & Fines
Selling a non-shelter/rescue dog, cat, or rabbit, or failing to maintain a certificate of source, is enforced by San Diego Animal Services and code compliance officials; violations are prosecutable as municipal code infractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a San Diego pet store sell puppies from a breeder?
Can pet stores still host adoptions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Pet Store Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle pet store rules.