Las Vegas, NV Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- License deadline
- 30 days after cat turns 4 months
- Household cat limit
- 6 cats (8 with fancier's permit)
- Standard at-large impound fee
- $100 flat
- Community cat colonies
- exempt from licensing if ear-tipped
- Governing chapters
- LVMC 7.08, 7.20, 7.22
Summary
Cats over 4 months need a City license; a six-cat household cap applies, but registered TNR colonies are exempt from licensing.
A duly recognized animal welfare society, humane organization or animal clinic, in order to encourage the stabilization of the community cat population in the City, may, at its own expense... Trap the animal in a humane manner; Have the cat properly sterilized and vaccinated for rabies; and Release the cat either... To a community cat colony within the vicinity of the cat's territory in accordance with Chapter 7.22. The licensing requirements of this Title shall not apply to any cat that has been released pursuant to Subsection (A)...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
Every cat over four months old kept in Las Vegas needs a City license within 30 days, with proof of microchipping and rabies vaccination (LVMC 7.08.010, 7.08.020, 7.08.030). No address may keep more than six cats over four months old unless the owner holds a cat fancier's permit allowing up to eight (7.08.160, 7.08.170). Recognized welfare groups can trap, sterilize, vaccinate and ear-tip community cats and return them to a registered colony under Chapter 7.22: those cats are exempt from licensing once ear-tipped and logged (7.20.035). Cats running at large can be impounded at the Animal Protection Services Center; a licensed cat captured within a mile of the owner's home can instead be returned directly.
Violations & Fines
Failure to license a cat, exceeding the six-cat limit without a fancier's permit, or letting an unspayed female run at large in copulating season are misdemeanors/civil infractions; impound fees start at $25 plus $10/day boarding, rising to $100 flat for at-large impoundment and up to $150 plus daily fees for repeat copulating-season captures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my indoor cat in Las Vegas?
Can I feed a feral cat colony legally?
How many cats can I keep at one house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Vegas
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Clark County handle cat rules.