California Health & Safety Code §122354.5 (AB-485, 2019) bars retail pet stores statewide, including throughout Santa Clara County, from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. SCC and city counsel handle enforcement.
California AB-485, codified at Health & Safety Code §122354.5, took effect in 2019 and applies across Santa Clara County. Retail pet shops can sell or display dogs, cats, or rabbits only if they come from a public animal shelter or a registered §501(c)(3) rescue organization. Stores must post the source of every animal and keep records open to inspection by SCC Animal Services, city animal-control officers, or county counsel. Private breeders selling directly to consumers are not covered, but they remain subject to county intact-permit, licensing, and nuisance rules under Title C. Several SCC cities had local bans before AB-485.
Selling non-rescue dogs, cats, or rabbits at retail violates Cal H&S §122354.5, with civil penalties up to five hundred dollars per animal, license revocation, and parallel local citations from SCC Animal Services or city animal-control agencies.
Santa Clara County, CA
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See how Santa Clara County's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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