Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 3 — Animal Regulations›Chapter IV — DOGS
Costa Mesa Municipal Code Art. 2 Vaccination
Costa Mesa Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Costa Mesa
Cite as: Costa Mesa Municipal Code Article 2 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 3-121. Defined.¶
The word "vaccination" shall mean the inoculation of a dog with a vaccine approved by the Orange County Health Department.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-122. Required.¶
Every person who owns, possesses, or harbors any dog shall have such dog vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed veterinarian, or some person under his supervision, in accordance with the following:
(1) Primary immunization. Primary immunization or initial immunization shall be defined as the first rabies vaccination administered to dogs after the age of four months and prior to 12 months, as required by California Health and Safety Code, section 121690.
(2) Revaccination intervals. Dogs shall be vaccinated one year (12 months) after the primary immunization. Thereafter dogs shall be revaccinated at least once every three years (36 months). If the primary immunization was done after the dog reached the age of 12 months, then the revaccination shall be at least once every three years (36 months).
| A dog may not be licensed prior to vaccination, and the period of vaccination must last the length of the full term of the licensing period. A revaccination may not be ordered sooner than 12 months following a primary immunization nor sooner than 24 months for a dog over the age of 12 months. |
|---|
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-123. Vaccination upon importation.¶
Every person who brings into the city a dog which has not been vaccinated with the approved vaccine as herein prescribed: (a) within 12 months prior to the importation, for dogs between the ages of four months and 12 months; or (b) within 30 months prior to the importation, for dogs over the age of 12 months, shall have such dog vaccinated within seven days from and after its arrival in the city. A certificate of vaccination issued by a duly licensed veterinarian, or person under his direct supervision, from any other jurisdiction, establishing vaccination of the specific dog with an approved vaccine may be accepted, provided it is within the interval prescribed by this section.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-124. Exception.¶
The vaccination requirement in this article shall not apply to a dog where a certificate has been issued by a duly licensed veterinarian doing business in the County of Orange setting forth that the giving of the inoculation would endanger the life of the dog. In such an event, the dog shall be confined at all times within the premises of the owner or within a motor vehicle owned by or under the supervision of the owner of such dog.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-125. Veterinarian's certificate required.¶
Every duly licensed veterinarian, or person under his direct supervision, after vaccinating any dog, shall sign a certificate in triplicate containing the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner or harborer of the vaccinated dog.
(b) The type of rabies vaccine administered, the name of the manufacturer, the lot number of the vaccine, and the date of immunization.
(c) The year, number of dog license tag, and name of city where issued or, in the event the dog has not previously been licensed, a notation to that effect.
(d) A description of the vaccinated dog, including breed, color, age, and sex. Such veterinarian, or person under his direct supervision, shall immediately present the original certificate to the owner, possessor, or harborer of the dog, shall deliver the duplicate copy of the certificate to the Orange County Health Department, and shall retain the triplicate copy thereof.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-126. Display of certificate.¶
No person who owns, possesses, keeps or harbors any dog shall fail or refuse to exhibit the certificate required by section 3-125 upon demand of any person charged with enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-127. Stolen or counterfeit certificate.¶
No person shall make use of or have in his possession or under his control a stolen, counterfeit or forged vaccination certificate or license tag.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
§ 3-128. Authority, duties of health department.¶
In furtherance of the program of the city for vaccination of dogs against rabies, the Orange County Health Department is authorized to:
(a) Approve of such vaccines as it may find suitable for such use, designate approved vaccines and file a statement of such approval with the office of the city finance department as a public record.
(b) Change said approved vaccines when as a result of experience, research, practice or tests it finds that new or different vaccine is suitable for such use, and designate such changes and file them in the office of the city finance department as a public record.
(c) Prescribe the form of certificate to be used by duly licensed veterinarians, or persons under their direct supervision, under the provisions hereof and to distribute such form of certificate to duly licensed veterinarians practicing in this city upon request.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
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