Arlington County, VA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-specific ban
- None; breed alone cannot support a finding
- Dangerous finding
- Requires a general district court proceeding
- Registration fee
- $50 certificate, renewed annually
- Leash limit
- 6 feet maximum when off owner's property
- Vicious dog outcome
- Court-ordered euthanization under state law
- Penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor for noncompliance
Summary
Arlington County has no breed-specific ban: § 2-10 expressly states no dog can be found dangerous or vicious solely because of its breed. Instead, a court must find a dog dangerous or vicious based on its own conduct before registration, confinement, and muzzling duties apply.
C. Exceptions. No animal shall be found to be a dangerous or vicious dog solely because it is a particular breed. No animal shall be found to be a dangerous or vicious dog if the threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who was: 1. Committing, at the time, a crime upon the premises occupied by the animal's owner or custodian; 2. Committing, at the time, a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the animal's owner or custodian; or 3. Provoking, tormenting, or physically abusing the animal, or can be shown to have repeatedly provoked, tormented, abused or assaulted the animal at other times.
Full Breakdown
Section 2-10 of Chapter 2 defines a "dangerous dog" as a canine or canine crossbreed that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal, or killed a companion animal, and a "vicious dog" as one that killed a person, inflicted serious injury including multiple bites or serious disfigurement or impairment, or continued the behavior behind a prior court finding of dangerousness after notice. Critically, subsection C states no animal shall be found dangerous or vicious solely because it is a particular breed, and also exempts dogs whose victim was committing a crime or willful trespass on the owner's premises, or was provoking, tormenting, or abusing the dog.
An Animal Control Officer who believes a dog is dangerous or vicious must apply to a magistrate for a summons requiring the owner to appear in general district court, and the dog must be confined pending the hearing, secured on a leash no longer than six feet when not indoors. D requires the owner to obtain a $50 dangerous dog registration certificate within 10 days, renewed annually, with a uniform tag affixed to the collar; certificates require proof of current rabies vaccination, a secure enclosure, warning signs posted at the residence, and permanent identification by tattoo or microchip.
A dangerous dog must stay confined indoors or in a securely locked enclosure at home, and be caged or leashed within six feet and muzzled off the property. B requires the court to order the Animal Control Officer to euthanize it under state law. Owners must immediately report to the Animal Control Officer if a registered dangerous dog gets loose, bites, is sold or dies, or moves address.
Violations & Fines
Failing to obtain the required $50 dangerous dog registration certificate within 10 days of a court finding lets the Animal Control Officer seize and euthanize the dog under state law. Any owner or custodian who fails to comply with § 2-10's confinement, muzzling, signage, or reporting requirements is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arlington County ban pit bulls or other specific dog breeds?
What has to happen before my dog is legally labeled dangerous?
What do I have to do if my dog is found dangerous?
Is my dog exempt if it bit someone who provoked it or was trespassing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
How Arlington County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Arlington County to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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