Chapter 7.12 — DOGS
El Cerrito Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · El Cerrito
Editor's note— Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, adopted Nov. 21, 2011, repealed Ch. 7.12 and enacted a new chapter as set out herein. The former Ch. 7.12, §§ 7.12.010—7.12.050, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from §§ 4124—4126 of the prior code; Ord. No. 343 N.S. (part), 1974; and Ord. No. 87-10, Div. III (part), 1987.
7.12.010 - Dogs must be leashed.¶
A person owning, possessing, or controlling a dog shall ensure that such animal be under effective restraint by a leash, as provided in Section 416-4.402 of the Contra Costa County Code.
(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)
7.12.020 - Nuisance.¶
It shall be unlawful and a nuisance for the owner or person having custody of a dog to permit the dog to excrete on a property other than that of its owner without disposing of the waste.
(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)
7.12.030 - Impoundment.¶
All dogs found to be in violation of this code, the provisions of Division 14 of the Agricultural Code or any provisions of Division 416 of the Contra Costa County Ordinance may be impounded by the El Cerrito Police Department or the county animal services department and dealt with in accordance with Division 416-8 of the Contra Costa County Code, including all noticing provisions in Section 416-8.006. The owner of such dog must pay the impounding and boarding fees in order to redeem such dog.
(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)
7.12.040 - Potentially dangerous or dangerous dogs.¶
When any dog in the city may be a "potentially dangerous animal" or "dangerous animal" pursuant to Sections 416-12.402 and 416-12.404 of the Contra Costa County Ordinance, the county animal services director shall cause an investigation to be made to determine same. The animal services department of Contra Costa County is authorized to undertake any activity in conformity with the county animal control ordinance, which ordinance has been adopted by reference by the city pursuant to Chapter 7.02.
(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)
7.12.050 - Violations.¶
In addition to enforcement by the county animal services director, violations of this chapter shall be a nuisance per se and/or a misdemeanor and/or an infraction punishable by fines as set forth in Title 1 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code.
(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)
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