Licensing

Anyone owning a dog four months of age or older in the city limits of San Clemente or Dana Point must obtain a license from the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Services Authority within 30 days of residence in San Clemente or Dana Point. The tag must be worn on the dog’s collar whenever the dog is outside.

Cats may be licensed on a voluntary basis.

View the complete San Clemente ordinance

View the complete Dana Point ordinance

License Fees are $40 annually.

Due Date
Payment for your license is due by the end of the month in which your current license expires. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 30 days.

A late fee of $15.00 is charged if your renewal has not been mailed by the last day of the month in which your previous license expired. After 180 days, the late fee increases to $20.00.

License Term
Licenses are valid for 1 year, with the expiration date being the anniversary date of the vaccination. Rabies laws state that the license term cannot exceed the rabies expiration date.

A rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian must be submitted if the rabies vaccination has expired. An invoice or statement of services is not sufficient as proof of rabies vaccination. Check your certificate for correct address and pet information.

Please include a spay/neuter certificate if the pet has been altered since the last licensing period.

• The primary reason is to prevent the spreading of rabies. Rabies is a constant health threat, and rabies vaccinations are good for your pet’s health. Did you know that rabies is 100% fatal for humans if not treated properly? Animal licensing helps San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Services Authority monitor compliance with local and state rabies vaccination laws.
• Licensing also helps Animal Control identify family pets, should an animal become lost. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services. Other goals of animal licensing are to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce the tragedies associated with lost pets and pet overpopulation.
• If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog's collar is the fastest way to reunite you and your dog. Even if your dog is micro-chipped, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn't require a scanning device to read it, like a microchip does.
• Licensing, unlike microchipping, lets people know that your canine companion has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies. If you own a dog four (4) months of age or older, you must obtain a rabies vaccination immediately to ensure the health and well being of your pet.
• The fee you pay for your Dog License and license renewal keeps your city's animal shelter going. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for Animal Care and Control, so it can continue to provide its unique services to all the citizens of San Clemente and Dana Point, from finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets to keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs, from caring for animals whose owners have died to teaching good pet care to school children.
• Your dog's Dog License shows that you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you walk your dog or let your dog run in designated areas, people will notice the license on your dog's collar and know that you really care about your dog's welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
• It's the law in California. Living in San Clemente or Dana Point brings many lifestyle advantages and cultural rewards, but it also carries some obligations. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services.