Newport News, VA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 6-33 makes it unlawful to own a dog or cat four months old or older in the city unless it is licensed under Article II, Division 2 of Chapter 6; each day an animal goes unlicensed is a separate offense, and a second or later violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Under Section 6-34, the owner applies to the city treasurer, orally or in writing, along with the license tax and proof of vaccination, and only residents of the city may license an animal; falsifying an application is itself unlawful.

00 for an unaltered male or female cat, with no tax at all on a certified service, guide or hearing animal; a veterinarian's written certification of sterilization is required to get the lower rate, or the higher unaltered fee applies by default. Taxes are due by January 31 each year under Section 6-36, or immediately once a cat turns four months old or is acquired between January 1 and October 31, with an animal acquired between October 31 and December 31 taxed for the following year.

Separately, Section 6-25(b) makes it unlawful for any person to let a cat they own or keep run at large in the city unless it is spayed or neutered, though kittens under six months are exempt from that requirement. An officer who finds a cat running at large under Section 6-25(b), or any dog or cat without the required license, must take it into custody, and Section 6-25(d) presumes any dog or cat found without its license is stray or feral unless the animal control officer has reason to know otherwise.

Impounded animals are held at least five days, ten if wearing identification, before the city may humanely destroy them or transfer them to an approved rescue. Sections 6-39 and 6-40 require the resulting tag to be worn on a collar and exhibited on request, with limited exceptions for hunting, showing, skin conditions or confinement, and Section 6-37 makes late payment of the tax itself a separate offense.