Upcoming Changes to Mariposa County Ordinance 6.08 Animal Control and 6.16 Barking Dog and Adding Chapter 6.10 Vicious Dog 

September 4, 2025 – Mariposa County Sheriff's Office officials announce upcoming changes to Mariposa County ordinance 6.08 animal control and 6.16 barking dog and adding chapter 6.10 vicious dog.

On Wednesday the Board of Supervisors voted to amend and add some very important Mariposa County Ordinances to help our Animal Control.

These changes to the ordinances are about partnership, prevention, and protection. They allow Mariposa County to support responsible pet owners, ensure the safety and health of animals, and provide Animal Control with the tools they need to serve the community effectively, all without imposing any additional financial burden on residents.

Summary of Changes Mariposa County Animal Control Ordinances (Ch. 6.08 & 6.16) and New Ch. 6.10

What’s new at a glance

• Clearer impound authority for Animal Control Officers (ACOs), including immediate threats to public safety.
• Updated shelter spay/neuter rules with higher refundable deposits and shorter timelines.
• Defined owner responsibilities (leash/run-at-large, abandonment).
• Multiple Pet Permit required for more than 10 dogs in a single dwelling/business, with reasonable inspections and renewals. (FREE)
• New Vicious Dog Ordinance (Ch. 6.10) with definitions, investigation steps, registration, and control requirements.
• Barking dog enforcement tightened: higher complaint threshold to include Two separate complaints from separate residences, and an exemption for agricultural working dogs.

6.08.265 Multiple Pet Permit

• Permit required to keep more than 10 dogs (over 6 months) in a single dwelling or business.
• Exemptions: licensed boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, 501(c)(3) rescues/adoptions, and agricultural producers actively managing 10+ head of livestock for production.
• Application: lists each dog and shows adequate facilities, no history/risk of neglect or cruelty, and current rabies certificates & county licenses.
• Decision & Duration:

Inspection within 30 days of application.

Approval may include reasonable conditions.

Valid 1 year; renewal without site review unless there’s a substantiated complaint in the prior year.

• Violation: dogs not listed on the permit may be subject to impound.

We truly appreciate your concern and want to be clear about the intent of the Multiple Pet Permit (Section 6.08.265).

This ordinance is not designed to give the Sheriff’s Office probable cause to enter or search someone’s property. The only inspection related to the permit is a simple, scheduled check by Animal Control Officers to ensure there is proper fencing, housing, licensing, and safe conditions for the animals. For anything beyond that limited inspection, for any criminal case a legal search warrant would still be required, just as it is today. The purpose of this ordinance is not about limiting responsible pet ownership or giving unnecessary authority to law enforcement. It is about animal safety, supporting responsible owners, and strengthening public safety while protecting the rights of residents.

Why the Multiple Pet Permit Matters

• Promoting Animal Safety and Well-Being

The permit process is designed to confirm that households with a large number of pets have the space, resources, and facilities needed to properly care for them. This reduces the risk of neglect or overcrowding and ensures that animals live in healthy, secure conditions.

• Educating and Supporting Owners

By requiring a simple application and inspection, the ordinance provides an opportunity for Animal Control Officers to educate owners about best practices in animal care, licensing, and vaccination. This partnership benefits both pets and owners, helping to prevent issues before they arise.

• Reducing Unnecessary Call-Backs

Once inspected and approved, Animal Control can respond more efficiently, cutting down repeat calls.

• Respecting Responsible Owners

Permit is valid for 1 year and easily renewed. Most importantly, it is completely FREE , no cost to responsible pet owners.

• Addressing Animal Hoarding Concerns

The permit process also serves as a valuable safeguard against potential animal hoarding situations. Hoarding often begins with good intentions but can quickly lead to unsafe and inhumane conditions for both animals and people. By requiring basic standards of care and periodic oversight, the permit allows Animal Control to identify and intervene early, before conditions escalate into a crisis. This protects the animals, supports community safety, and provides a path for struggling owners to get assistance.

• Protecting Community Resources

Prevents problems that could lead to suffering, nuisance complaints, or costly rescues, saving taxpayer dollars.

• Simple Inspection Process

The owner scheduled inspection is quick and straightforward. Animal Control Officers are simply looking to ensure there is safe and adequate fencing, proper housing, current licensing, and general suitability of the location for the number of dogs. It’s designed to be helpful and supportive, not burdensome.

New Chapter 6.10 — Vicious Dog Ordinance

• Purpose: abate vicious dogs as a public nuisance; supplements state law and County Code.
• Definitions (vicious/dangerous): unprovoked attacks causing injury, property damage, or attacks on other animals off the owner’s property.
• Investigation: ACOs must promptly investigate reports; may order secure enclosure/controls or impound; noncompliance is a misdemeanor.
• Misdemeanor liability for owners whose dogs commit defined acts.
• Registration: Dogs found vicious/dangerous by a court must be registered with the Sheriff’s Office within 10 days; fee up to $25.
• Control requirements: permanent ID (tattoo/microchip), warning signage, strict indoor/outdoor confinement, muzzling & heavy-duty restraint, and proof of liability insurance before return.
• Court authority to order destruction of a vicious dog.
• Impoundment mandated if a previously noticed vicious dog is later found at large or injures again, pending court disposition.

Together, these updates give Mariposa County stronger tools to keep our community safe, protect animals, and support responsible pet ownership.

To read the ordinance as presented to the Board of Supervisors please click here: https://mariposacoca.portal.civicclerk.com/.../6825.

Source: Mariposa County Sheriff's Office