New Orleans, LA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandate
- Spay/neuter required over 6 months, § 18-306
- Intact permit fee
- $75.00 initial + $20.00 annual renewal
- 1st violation fine
- Up to $100.00 per dog
- 2nd violation fine
- Up to $250.00 per dog
- 3rd+ violation
- Impoundment + up to $500.00 per dog
- Late fee
- $10.00/day past renewal, § 18-311(d)
Summary
City Code § 18-306 requires every dog over six months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an intact-dog permit. Division 5 backs the mandate with escalating per-dog fines: up to $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second, and impoundment plus $500 for a third.
Sec. 18-306. - Spaying and neutering requirements. Owner or keepers must spay or neuter all dogs over six months old. Owner or keeper may obtain an intact dog permit if the owner or keeper intends to keep the animal intact. Proof of spay/neuter or of intact dog permit must be provided by the owner or keeper when requested by the society. ... Sec. 18-311. - Fines for failure to comply with permit requirements. (a)A violation of this division 5 shall be an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.00 per dog for the first violation, a fine not to exceed $250.00 per dog upon a second violation, and impoundment along with a fine not to exceed $500.00 per dog upon the third and subsequent violations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-306 states the core rule directly: "Owner or keepers must spay or neuter all dogs over six months old. " Proof of either the surgery or the permit must be produced to the animal control society on request. Section 18-307 lists the exceptions: dogs under six months, a dog a licensed veterinarian certifies should not be altered for a specific documented reason, a dog present in the city fewer than 30 days, a dog whose owner has applied for or holds an intact-dog permit, or a government/law-enforcement working dog.
00 annual renewal fee. Permits are individual to each dog, non-transferable, and expire annually; an aggrieved owner can appeal a denial to the city council within 30 days under § 18-309. A permit more than 30 days delinquent triggers a citation to the city health department under § 18-310.
Violations & Fines
Section 18-311(a) sets the fine ladder directly: "A violation of this division 5 shall be an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.00 per dog for the first violation, a fine not to exceed $250.00 per dog upon a second violation, and impoundment along with a fine not to exceed $500.00 per dog upon the third and subsequent violations." If an owner doesn't show proof of a permit or of spay/neuter within 15 days of a first citation, § 18-311(b) adds another violation. On a third violation the dog is impounded, and under § 18-311(c) the owner must either pay a surgery deposit or get a permit within ten days or relinquish the dog to the agency. A late permit renewal adds a $10.00-per-day fee under § 18-311(d), and § 18-311(e) lets the agency waive fees that would cause extreme financial hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spaying or neutering my dog mandatory in New Orleans?
How much does an intact-dog permit cost in New Orleans?
What's the fine for not spaying or neutering my dog?
Can I keep a puppy intact without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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