Pet Licenses

Protect the health and safety of your pet and the Berkeley community by getting an Animal License and following local regulations.

The City of Berkeley requires you to vaccinate your dog for rabies and get them an Animal License. The City also encourages you to get your pet spayed or neutered to keep them happy and healthy and reduce the number of unwanted animals that end up in the shelter. Follow City regulations for dogs to protect your pet and your community.

Get an Animal License for your dog or unaltered cat

You must get an Animal License for any dog you own that is over 4 months old. Cats do not need a license unless they are unaltered (not spayed/neutered).

To get a license, you will need:

• A rabies certificate with the animal’s name, owner/guardian name, owner/guardian address, vaccination date, and period for which the vaccination is valid
• A completed Animal License Application
• Documentation for reduced or waived fees (if applicable)

Dog license fees are reduced for spayed/neutered animals:

• Altered dogs (spayed/neutered) or permanently infertile (requires a letter from a licensed vet): $15 for a 1-year license or $40 for a 3-year license
• Non-altered dogs or cats: $75 for a 1-year license if the animal has no violations from the past year, $100 if the animal has violations from the past year

You may qualify for a fee waiver if you:

• Are low income: your annual income is $37,400 or less and your pet is spayed/neutered or permanently infertile
• Are a senior-citizen: 65 years or older and your pet is spayed/neutered or permanently infertile
• Adopt a service dog
• Adopt from the Berkeley Animal Shelter: Fee is waived for initial 1-year license or the 3-year license is reduced to $25

Purchase your animal license by submitting your application in person or by mail:

• In person at the Finance Customer Service Center
  1947 Center Street (between Milvia and MLK, Jr. Way)
  Accepts: cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa/MasterCard)
• By mail (payment by check only)
  City of Berkeley Attn: Animal Licensing
  Finance Customer Service
  1947 Center Street, 1st Floor
  Berkeley, CA 94704

Follow Berkeley dog regulations

Below is a quick guide to owning a dog in Berkeley:

• In public areas, restrain your dog with a leash at least six-feet long. Alternatively, obedience-train your dog and keep them within six feet of you. This rule does not apply to service animals.
• In public parks or playgrounds, dogs must be on leash (even if they are obedience-trained). This rule does not apply to service animals.
• Remove your dog’s feces on public property. This rule does not apply to service animals.
• All dogs over four months must be licensed and must wear the license
• You may not have more than four dogs on any one premises

For full details, review the Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 10.04. Also note regulations around animal noise complaints in ordinance 13.40.070.