Breed Restrictions: Fontana vs Ontario
How do breed restrictions rules compare between Fontana, CA and Ontario, CA?
Fontana and Ontario have similar restriction levels.
Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana does not restrict dogs by breed. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts cities from banning specific breeds, so Fontana uses behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog rules from Chapter 4 instead.
View full Fontana rules βOntario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario does not ban specific dog breeds. CA Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts cities from breed-specific bans, though individual dogs can be declared dangerous and breed-specific spay/neuter rules are allowed.
View full Ontario rules βKey Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Ban | Prohibited by CA F and A Code 31683 | Preempted in California |
| Fontana Code | Chapter 4 Animals behavior-based | - |
| Dangerous Dog | Declared after hearing on incidents | Behavior-based process |
| Typical Conditions | Fence, muzzle, insurance, microchip | - |
| Animal Services | (909) 350-7651 | - |
| State Law | - | CA F and A Code 31683 |
| Spay and Neuter | - | Breed-specific allowed |
| Private Rules | - | HOA and insurance may restrict |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fontana FAQ
Can my landlord refuse a pit bull in Fontana?
Private landlords can set breed restrictions in leases, but cities and HOAs cannot pass breed bans under state law.
What triggers a dangerous dog declaration?
A bite, attack, or a pattern of unprovoked aggressive behavior witnessed and documented. The owner gets a hearing before conditions are imposed.
Ontario FAQ
Does Ontario ban pit bulls?
No. California state law preempts breed-specific bans. Ontario uses a behavior-based dangerous dog process under state law.
Can my HOA restrict breeds?
Yes. Private HOAs, landlords, and insurance carriers are generally not covered by the state preemption and can maintain their own breed lists.
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