Glendale Breed Restrictions Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Glendale takes a behavior-based approach to dangerous dog regulation rather than imposing breed-specific bans. No particular breed is restricted from ownership or residency in the city. This approach aligns with California state law, which under the Food and Agricultural Code generally preempts local jurisdictions from enacting breed-specific legislation.

The Glendale Municipal Code addresses dangerous dogs through its "vicious animal" provisions in Chapter 6.08. A dog may be designated as vicious based on its individual behavior, such as attacking or biting a person or another animal without provocation. When a dog is determined to be vicious and is returned to its owner after impoundment, the Humane Society may impose conditions including: the dog must at all times be kept indoors or in a securely fenced yard from which it cannot escape when on the owner's property, and the dog may only be off premises if restrained by a substantial leash of appropriate length under the control of a responsible adult.

The legal remedies related to vicious dogs in the Glendale Municipal Code are not intended to be exclusive. Additional legal rights and remedies may be pursued, including filing a petition pursuant to Section 31621 of the California Food and Agricultural Code. This means that regardless of breed, any individual dog exhibiting dangerous behavior may be subject to legal action. All dogs, regardless of breed, must comply with Glendale's leash laws, licensing requirements, and vaccination mandates.