Dog license in Los Angeles

Updated 11 Oct 2026

Every dog older than four months kept in the City of Los Angeles must be licensed and wear its tag on a collar or harness in public. City law also requires all dogs over four months to be spayed or neutered.

How much is a dog license in Los Angeles?

• $20 a year (or $55 for three years) for a spayed or neutered dog.
• $10 a year for low-income seniors aged 62 and older, or low-income residents with disabilities (limited to one dog per household).
• Unaltered dogs must comply with the city's mandatory spay/neuter ordinance (LAMC 53.15.2(b)); breeding requires a city permit, and a moratorium on new dog breeding permits has been in effect since May 2024 (LAMC 53.15.2(f)).

A replacement tag costs $5. Households may keep up to three dogs over four months of age without a special kennel permit.

How to apply

Apply online through the LA Animal Services licensing portal, in person at any of the six city animal shelters (such as Chesterfield Square, East Valley, West LA, or North Central), or by mail to the Department of Animal Services. You need a current rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian and proof of sterilization.

The unique license tag number links your dog to your contact info if your pet gets lost and arrives at a city shelter.

Rabies vaccination

California law and the Los Angeles Municipal Code require every dog to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. A second vaccine is required no later than one year after the first shot, followed by boosters on a three-year schedule.

Leash laws and dog parks

When off private property, a dog must be held on a substantial leash no longer than six feet.

For off-leash exercise, the city provides designated fenced dog parks managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks, including Silver Lake Dog Park, Runyon Canyon, Sepulveda Basin, and Griffith Park. Dogs inside off-leash parks must be vaccinated, licensed, and monitored by their handlers.

Vets and trainers in Los Angeles

The rabies shot is given at a vet clinic.

More: 24-hour emergency vets in Los Angeles · Dog training costs in Los Angeles