Do I need a dog license in San Diego, and how much does it cost?
Yes. California requires it within 30 days of a dog turning 4 months old or moving in. In the City of San Diego and 13 other cities, San Diego Humane Society charges $20 a year for a spayed or neutered dog, $60 if not.
- Altered dog
- $20/yr
- Unaltered dog
- $60/yr
- Late fee
- $25
- Deadline
- 30 days
$35 for 2 years, $50 for 3
$100 for 2 years, $150 for 3
Missed deadline or renewal
After turning 4 months, getting the dog or moving in
The short version
- Dogs must be licensed within 30 days of turning 4 months old, being acquired, or moving into the jurisdiction.
- San Diego Humane Society licenses dogs for the City of San Diego and 13 other cities, from $20 a year (altered) or $60 (unaltered).
- A 3-year license costs $50 for an altered dog versus $150 for an unaltered one, but can't run past the rabies vaccine's due date.
- Late licenses or renewals cost an extra $25; dogs adopted from SDHS get a free first-year license.
- Unincorporated areas buy from the County's Department of Animal Services at the same base prices; Chula Vista, Coronado, Lemon Grove and National City run their own.
Every dog in California has to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed. San Diego Humane Society, which runs animal services for the City of San Diego under contract, says the license is due within 30 days of the dog reaching four months of age, of you getting the dog, or of you moving into the area. Cats don't need a license in the cities SDHS serves.
Who you buy it from depends on where you live
| Where you live | Who licenses your dog |
|---|---|
| City of San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista | San Diego Humane Society (online via DocuPet, in person or by mail) |
| Unincorporated county (e.g. Spring Valley, Lakeside, Ramona, Fallbrook) | County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (online via DocuPet or by mail) |
| Chula Vista, Coronado, Lemon Grove, National City | Your city's own animal services agency |
City of San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista
San Diego Humane Society (online via DocuPet, in person or by mail)
Unincorporated county (e.g. Spring Valley, Lakeside, Ramona, Fallbrook)
County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (online via DocuPet or by mail)
Chula Vista, Coronado, Lemon Grove, National City
Your city's own animal services agency
From SDHS's licensing page and the County's dog license page. Checked Nov. 2, 2026.
What it costs
| License | Spayed/neutered | Not spayed/neutered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $20 | $60 |
| 2 years | $35 | $100 |
| 3 years | $50 | $150 |
| Late fee (added) | $25 | $25 |
| Replacement tag | $15 (SDHS) / $10 (County) | $15 (SDHS) / $10 (County) |
| Change of owner or transfer from another jurisdiction (SDHS) | $15 | $15 |
1 year
- Spayed/neutered
- $20
- Not spayed/neutered
- $60
2 years
- Spayed/neutered
- $35
- Not spayed/neutered
- $100
3 years
- Spayed/neutered
- $50
- Not spayed/neutered
- $150
Late fee (added)
- Spayed/neutered
- $25
- Not spayed/neutered
- $25
Replacement tag
- Spayed/neutered
- $15 (SDHS) / $10 (County)
- Not spayed/neutered
- $15 (SDHS) / $10 (County)
Change of owner or transfer from another jurisdiction (SDHS)
- Spayed/neutered
- $15
- Not spayed/neutered
- $15
SDHS and County base prices match. Fees are non-refundable. Checked Nov. 2, 2026.
How to get the license
- 01
Get a rabies shot and the certificate
The certificate must show the vet's business name and license number, or the clinic's name and phone number. A first rabies shot is good for one year; boosters for three.
- 02
Choose a term that fits the vaccine
A license can't extend past the rabies due date, so a dog on a one-year shot gets a one-year license.
- 03
Apply
City of San Diego and other SDHS cities: online at sandiego.docupet.com, in person at the SDHS San Diego, El Cajon, Escondido or Oceanside campuses, or by mail to the San Diego campus licensing department. Unincorporated county: sddac.docupet.com or by mail.
- 04
Put the tag on
Tags are mailed, even if you license in person. SDHS requires the tag to be worn at all times.
Now that it's legal: where your dog can go at San Diego beaches and the best off-leash parks and beaches, plus how to keep pets safe from coyotes.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 2, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryDog Licensing
San Diego Humane Society · checked 2026-11-02
30-day rule; 14 cities served; cities not served; rabies certificate rules; how to apply; $150/day fine; tag must be worn.
- PrimaryAnimal Services Fees
San Diego Humane Society · checked 2026-11-02
License fee table, late fee, replacement tag, transfer fees; non-refundable.
- PrimaryDog Licenses
County of San Diego Department of Animal Services · checked 2026-11-02
Unincorporated areas only; same base fees; $25 late fee; $10 replacement tag; online via DocuPet.
- BackgroundLicensing FAQ
DocuPet (for San Diego Humane Society) · checked 2026-11-02
Online processing fee 2.65% + $0.25; tags are mailed; document review 2–3 business days.