Alexandria, VA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- General pets
- No citywide microchip mandate
- Trigger
- Court finding of 'dangerous dog'
- ID method
- Inner-thigh tattoo or electronic chip
- Registration fee
- $50, renewed annually
- Deadline
- Within 10 days of court finding
- Noncompliance penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor
Summary
Alexandria doesn't require microchipping for pets generally, but once a court declares a dog 'dangerous' under City Code Sec. 5-7-36, the owner must have it permanently identified by tattoo or electronic implantation (microchip) before the city will issue the required dangerous-dog registration certificate.
owners who apply for certificates or renewals thereof under this section shall not be issued a certificate or renewal thereof unless they present satisfactory evidence that (i) their residence is and will continue to be posted with clearly visible signs warning both minors and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property and (ii) the animal has been permanently identified by means of a tattoo on the inside thigh or by electronic implantation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 5-7-36(h) sets the conditions the chief animal control officer must verify before issuing or renewing a dangerous dog registration certificate. ' Subsection (k) then requires the owner to keep the chief animal control officer supplied with the tattoo or chip identification information, along with the owner's contact details, any bite complaints or lawsuits, and proof of insurance. This identification duty is triggered only after a court finding of 'dangerous dog' status under the process in Sec. 5-7-36(a) through (c); Alexandria has no ordinance requiring microchipping of dogs or cats generally, and general dog and cat licensing under Sec.
5-7-47 through 5-7-56 relies on a metal tag on the collar, not a chip. A dangerous-dog registration certificate costs $50, must be obtained within 10 days of the court's finding, and must be renewed annually for the same fee.
Violations & Fines
An owner of a court-declared dangerous dog who fails to obtain permanent tattoo or chip identification cannot receive the required registration certificate; keeping the dog without a valid certificate, or otherwise willfully failing to comply with any Sec. 5-7-36 requirement, is a Class 1 misdemeanor under subsection (n), on top of the underlying civil registration fee of $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to microchip my dog or cat in Alexandria?
What counts as acceptable permanent ID for a dangerous dog?
What happens if I never chip a dog that was ordered to be identified?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
Compare Alexandria to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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