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Maricopa County, AZ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Cat license required?
No
Dog license required
Yes, annual, dogs over 4 months
Cat at-large restriction
None in county ordinance
Governing law
Ordinance P-13, Rabies/Animal Control
Stray cats
May be impounded if brought to pound

Summary

Maricopa County's animal control ordinance requires dog licenses and bans dogs from running at large, but sets no license, leash, or at-large rule for cats in the unincorporated county.

City-specific rules exist: Gilbert, Peoria, Mesa, Glendale, Goodyear, Tempe, Chandler, and Phoenix have their own cat rules rules that differ from Maricopa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Within the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, no dog shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

Source: Maricopa County MCACCView official code

Full Breakdown

Maricopa County Ordinance P-13, the county's rabies/animal control law for unincorporated areas, sets an annual license requirement and a leash/enclosure rule that apply only to dogs. Section 3 requires a license for every dog over four months old, and Section 7 says 'no dog shall be permitted at large.' Cats are mentioned only later: Section 8 lets the county pound impound and later sell or humanely dispose of a stray cat that's brought in, and an unvaccinated cat that bites someone can be quarantined. There is no county cat license, leash, or at-large requirement.

Violations & Fines

No violation applies: cats have no license, tag, or at-large rule to break in unincorporated Maricopa County; only dogs face citation and impoundment under Ordinance P-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to license my cat in unincorporated Maricopa County?
No. Ordinance P-13 only requires an annual license for dogs over four months old; it sets no license requirement for cats.
Can my cat legally roam outside in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Yes. The county's at-large prohibition in Section 7 applies only to dogs: there's no leash or confinement law for cats.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Maricopa County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterFew RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: CompostingSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Specific Plans OverviewSome RestrictionsHome Business: Cottage Food OperationsSome RestrictionsBusiness Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential PropertySignificant Restrictions

All Maricopa County rules

Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview

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Cat Rules in Cities Across Maricopa County

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