License Requirements

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs over four months of age must be licensed with Lake County, excluding the incorporated cities of Lakeport and Clearlake. New residents or owners of new pets have a grace period of 30 days to license their pets. The grace period for new pets is extended to 60 days if the pet has a current or prior-year license from another municipality in California.

View the complete Lake County ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due within 30 days of the date that your current license expires. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 30 days of obtaining a dog over the age of 4 months or within 30 days of establishing residence in Lake County. The grace period for new pets is extended to 60 days if the pet has a current or prior-year license from another municipality in California.

A late fee of $20 is charged if your license has not been purchased by the end of the grace period.

License Term

Licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase or the expiration of the rabies vaccination, whichever comes first. A license cannot be valid for a longer period than the current rabies vaccination.