BIG NEWS FOR PET OWNERS IN MANHATTAN BEACH!

We’re making it easier and safer to license your pets, now with a simple online portal.

What’s new?

The City of Manhattan Beach is pleased to announce a new modern and user-friendly animal license system through DocuPet. This new system offers an Online Portal, Flexible Renewal Dates, Lifetime Pet Tags and more!

• NEW User-Friendly Online Portal – Apply or renew your pet license anytime, anywhere on the Pet Licensing Portal!
• Flexible Renewal Dates that sync with the rabies certification date. Animal licenses are valid 1 year from the date of purchase, unless your pet’s rabies vaccination expires sooner, in that case, the license will expire with the rabies vaccination.
• Lifetime Pet Tags mean no more replacing tags every year. With your first new license or renewal, you will be mailed a City branded lifetime tag. Customizable tag options are also available.
• 24/7 Free lost pet service (Homesafe)

Pet owners can expect to start receiving Renewal Forms by mail and/or email by mid September 2025. To ensure a successful system launch, we have extended the current license expiration date/due date to October 31, 2025.

What to do!

• Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination current
• Renew annually or when your rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first
• Visit our Online Portal to apply, renew, and pay easily.
• Enjoy your lifetime tag at renewal!

Questions? Please call the Finance Department (310) 802-5558 option #4 or send an email to revenue@manhattanbeach.gov.

ANIMAL LICENSE RENEWALS

• Animal License Renewals will be due October 31st.
• If you do not receive a renewal notice by October 15th, please contact the Finance Department to obtain a duplicate copy (310) 802-5559.

All dogs 4 months or older must be licensed, as required by City Municipal Code. Cats may be licensed upon request, although the license is not required by the City.

The New Dog License Application is available on-line (PDF) and at the Cashier at City Hall (1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach CA 90266).

Animal licenses are valid 1 year from the date of purchase, unless your pet’s rabies vaccination expires sooner, in that case, the license will expire with the rabies vaccination. Please contact the Finance Department at revenue@manhattanbeach.gov or (310) 802-5559 for the correct amount due and to address any other questions, prior to mailing in your application.

Your original application, along with payment, must be accompanied by a copy of the current anti-rabies certificate and certificate of sterility, if applicable (send copies only).

LICENSING FEES:

• Sterile Animal (with copy of the Certificate of Sterility): $23
• Intact Animal: $51
• Replacement Tag: $4

RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Current Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required in order for a license to be issued.
• Vaccination status or invoice will not be accepted
• Certificate must include lot/serial number of vaccine

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS
Effective Jan 1, 2012, due to changes in the State and County rabies laws, exemption from rabies vaccination can only be granted by the County Veterinary Public Health Department. More information and Application for Exemption available at your local Veterinarian office.

The Manhattan Beach Animal Control Division is responsible for handling service calls concerning animal welfare and for enforcing municipal code ordinances related to dogs-at-large, animal bites, dog licensing, tethering, barking dogs and leash laws. They also facilitate veterinary care for injured animals and provide for the safe return of loose and lost animals to their owners. Their policy is to check all domesticated animals for identifying implanted chips so that the animal may be returned promptly to their owner. Please visit the Animal Control webpage for more information related to pets and animals in the City. 

REMINDER
Tethering animals to an object (bike rack, light pole, newspaper stand, etc.) is against the law.

To ensure the safety and health of the animals and the public around them, pets must be supervised at all times.