Breed Restrictions: Santa Paula vs Ventura

Does Santa Paula ban any dog breeds?

No. California law prohibits breed-specific bans. Santa Paula regulates dogs based on individual behavior through potentially dangerous and vicious dog designations, regardless of breed.

Can I have a working farm dog in Santa Paula?

Yes. Working dogs are common on Santa Paula's agricultural properties. They must be licensed through Ventura County Animal Services at (805) 388-4341 and remain under the owner's control.

What happens if a dog is declared dangerous in Santa Paula?

Potentially dangerous dogs must be kept in secure enclosures with the owner carrying increased liability insurance. Vicious designations can result in removal from the city or euthanasia. Contact Animal Services at (805) 388-4341.

Are pit bulls banned in Ventura?

No. California Health & Safety Code §122331 prohibits any California city or county from declaring a dog 'potentially dangerous or vicious' based on breed, so a pit-bull ban (or any breed ban) is not legally available to the City of Ventura.

Can a Ventura landlord or HOA still restrict breeds?

Yes. The state preemption applies only to government ordinances. Private landlords, HOAs, and insurance carriers may impose breed restrictions in leases, CC&Rs, or policies — those are private-contract matters, not enforced by VCAS or the City.

What can the city do about a specific aggressive dog?

VCAS investigates and, after a hearing, can declare an individual dog 'potentially dangerous' (Cal. Food & Agric. Code §31602) or 'vicious' (§31603), imposing confinement, muzzle, signage, microchip, and spay/neuter conditions, or ordering destruction in vicious cases — based on the dog's conduct, not its breed.

Does Ventura require dogs of certain breeds to be spayed/neutered?

No. While Cal. HSC §122331 would allow a breed-specific spay/neuter ordinance, the City of Ventura has not adopted one. Voluntary spay/neuter and TNR services are offered by VCAS.