Community Development Department

Animal Care and Control

The City of Carpinteria is responsible for providing animal care and control regulation within the city limits. The City obtains its authorization to provide this service based on the Carpinteria Municipal Code, the Food and Agricultural Code and other applicable codes including, but not limited to, the Penal Code and the Health and Safety Code.

The primary function of Animal Care and Control is to prevent the spread of rabies via the issuance of dog licenses, respond to citizen requests of stray, injured or vicious animals and to investigate and report dog bites; and in doing so, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and pet population.

The Code Compliance Division regulates Animal Care and Control under the Community Development Department and its mission is to educate and serve the public regarding animal regulations and welfare.

Dog Licenses

Every owner of a dog four months of age or older, kept or controlled in the City limits, must obtain a dog license and pay all required fees. Dog licenses are not transferable and any change of ownership of a dog requires a new license. Dog licenses are sold at the following locations for the following fees:

Neutered or Spayed $25
Unaltered $50
Altered owned by Senior $15
Unaltered owned by Senior $50
 

Adoptable Pets / City of Carpinteria

Animal Keeping Permit
Click on the above link for a copy of an Animal Keeping Permit.

Animal Nuisances

The Carpinteria Municipal Code also contains an animal and fowl nuisance ordinance for dogs or any fowl that emit excessive noise. “Excessive noise” is characterized by the utterance of barks, cries or sounds which are loud, frequent and continued over a period of time which either annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of persons residing in two or more separate dwellings.
 

Common Questions

1. Is there a leash law in Carpinteria?
Yes, all dogs are required to be leashed in the City limits and in all parks, including the Bluffs Preserve. Dogs are prohibited from the family beach located from Linden to Ash Avenues all year and at the Seal Rookery from December 1 through May 31.

2. What shall I do if I find a stray, lost or stolen dog?
Contact Animal Care and Control within 24 hours at (805) 684-5405 extension 413 or 418 and deliver to or make the animal available for pick-up by staff.

3. What happens if my dog bites a person or if I am the victim of an animal bite?
Immediately contact staff because dogs are required to be quarantined at your home or at the shelter, and observed for rabies.

4. What do I do if I see a dangerous or vicious dog?
Animals displaying this type of behavior can immediately be reported to Animal Care and Control. The Food and Agricultural codes give staff several options to protect the community. In severe cases where the animal bites a person or causes severe injury, a hearing must be held to determine how to best protect the public.

5. Do you handle raccoon and opossum calls?
Yes, call staff if you observe a hurt or injured opossum or raccoon during the day. Otherwise, these animals are best left undisturbed.

6. What shall I do if my dog becomes stray?
Impounded dogs are held at City Hall or at local veterinarian offices until 5:00pm. Impound fees are $74 first release, $115 second release and $195 for the third release. If the owner is unknown the animal may be transported to the County Animal Shelter in Goleta.
 

Important Numbers

Animal Care and Control - (805) 684-5405 extension 413 or 418. If you wish to speak with the Code Compliance Supervisor dial (805) 684-5405 extension 408. FAX: (805) 684-5304

City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm and is located at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue. A Code Compliance Officer is on duty Saturday and Sundays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at 684-5405 extension 413.

Animal Control regulations can be researched @ www.carpinteria.ca.us, see Chapter 6.04 Animal Control.

If you have an animal control emergency when City Hall is closed dial Santa Barbara Dispatch at 911 or (805) 683-2724. Remember, this service is for emergencies only!