Breed Restrictions: Chino vs San Bernardino
How do breed restrictions rules compare between Chino, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
San Bernardino has fewer restrictions than Chino.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts breed-specific dangerous-dog ordinances — no city, including Chino, may declare a breed dangerous or vicious by breed alone. The only carve-out is Health & Safety Code §122331, which lets local governments require mandatory spay/neuter and breeding regulation by breed. Through its San Bernardino County animal-control contract, that exception applies in Chino: San Bernardino County Code §32.1501 requires pit bulls and pit-bull-mix dogs over 4 months to be spayed or neutered.
View full Chino rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts breed-specific dog bans. San Bernardino can require spay and neuter for certain breeds but cannot outright ban them.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| State preemption | Cal. Food & Ag. Code §31683 — no breed-specific dog regulation | - |
| Only allowed breed rule | Cal. Health & Safety Code §122331 — breed-specific spay/neuter & breeding only | - |
| Active local rule | San Bernardino County Code §32.1501 — pit bulls/mixes over 4 months must be altered | - |
| Chino-specific ban | None — no breed-specific ordinance in Chino Municipal Code Title 6 | - |
| Dangerous-dog path | Individual-dog hearings under Cal. Food & Ag. Code §31601 et seq. | - |
| State Law | - | CA F&A Code 31683 preempts bans |
| Local Option | - | Spay and neuter or breeder permits allowed |
| Dangerous Dogs | - | Handled by County Animal Control |
| Private Contracts | - | HOA and insurer rules still apply |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Can Chino ban pit bulls?
No. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts breed-specific bans, and Health & Safety Code §122331 expressly forbids declaring a breed or mixed breed potentially dangerous or vicious. The only allowed breed-specific local rule is mandatory spay/neuter.
Do I have to spay or neuter my pit bull in Chino?
Yes. Chino's animal-services contract with San Bernardino County brings County Code §32.1501 into play, which requires all pit bulls and pit-bull-mix dogs over four months old to be spayed or neutered, subject to narrow medical and registered-breeder exemptions.
How are dangerous dogs handled in Chino?
On an individual basis under California Food & Agricultural Code §31601 et seq. A dog can be declared 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' based on its own behavior — never solely on its breed.
San Bernardino FAQ
Can San Bernardino ban pit bulls?
No. California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts breed-specific bans, though the city may require spay or neuter for specific breeds.
What is a dangerous dog?
A dog declared dangerous by San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control based on bite history or aggressive behavior, subject to special containment and insurance rules.
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