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Maricopa, AZ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Cat licensing
Not required (dogs only)
Cat trap fee
$35, non-refundable, 1 week
Feral cat impound fee
$20.00
False info about a cat
Civil violation

Summary

Maricopa's animal code, adopted from Pinal County, does not require cat licensing or at-large restraint like it does for dogs, but it charges a $35 non-refundable fee to trap a cat and makes false statements about a cat's ownership or license status a civil violation.

It is a civil violation for any person to give false or incomplete information to a County Enforcement Officer concerning the whereabouts, ownership, license status, or current rabies vaccination of any dog, cat, or other domestic animal. ... Cat trap fee-non-refundable *1 week ... $35.00

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-10, passed April 21, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Maricopa City Code § 6.05.010 adopts the Pinal County Animal Control Ordinance No. 050510-ACC in full. Its licensing and at-large sections (VI and VII) name only "dogs," so cats in Maricopa carry no citywide license or leash mandate. The ordinance's fee schedule sets a $35.00 non-refundable cat trap fee good for one week, plus separate impound fees for owned and stray/feral felines. Section XIII makes it a civil violation to give a County Enforcement Officer false or incomplete information about a cat's whereabouts, ownership, license status, or rabies vaccination.

Violations & Fines

Civil infraction: $100-$250 for a first offense, $300-$500 for a second or subsequent offense within 36 months, prosecuted by a Pinal County Enforcement Agent before a Justice of the Peace or the Pinal County Hearing Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maricopa require cats to be licensed?
No. Maricopa City Code § 6.05.010 adopts the county ordinance, and its licensing section (VI) applies only to dogs: cats have no citywide licensing or leash requirement.
What does it cost to have a feral cat trapped in Maricopa?
Pinal County Animal Care and Control's fee schedule, adopted by Maricopa City Code § 6.05.010, sets a non-refundable $35.00 cat trap fee valid for one week.
Can I be cited for lying about a cat's ownership to animal control?
Yes. Section XIII of the adopted ordinance makes false or incomplete statements about a cat's ownership, whereabouts, or license status a civil violation, fined $100-$250 for a first offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Maricopa

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All Maricopa rules

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