Ada County, ID Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Care standard
- Food, water, shelter, vet care
- Neglect
- Misdemeanor (5-7-3)
- Household cap
- 4 without kennel license
- Habitual violator
- 3 convictions in 12 months
- Remedy
- Remove animals in 5 days
Summary
Ada County sets minimum standards of care and lets Animal Control act against neglect and hoarding. Beyond the four-animal household cap, a "habitual violator" with three convictions in twelve months can be ordered to remove the animals, and neglect is a misdemeanor.
In addition to any legal remedy available under the provisions of this chapter, the Animal Control Agency may notify and direct, in writing, an owner who is guilty of three (3) convictions of a violation of this chapter in any twelve-month period to abate and remove the animal(s) causing the violations from the County within five (5) calendar days from the date of the notice.
Full Breakdown
Ada County Code 5-7-3 requires owners to provide adequate food (at least every 24 hours), constant clean water, sanitary keeping, adequate shelter, exercise, and prompt veterinary care, and bars confining animals in their own excrement or continuous tethering over 12 hours. Violating the standard of care is a misdemeanor (5-7-3(H)). The county curbs accumulation two ways: the four-animal limit in 5-7-6 (exceed only with a kennel license), and the habitual-violator remedy in 5-7-19, which lets Animal Control order an owner with three chapter convictions in any twelve-month period to remove or transfer the offending animals within five days, with impoundment if they fail. Excessive feces creating a health risk is also a nuisance (5-7-14(D)).
Violations & Fines
Cruelty/neglect under 5-7-3 is a misdemeanor. A habitual violator (three convictions in 12 months) may be ordered to remove the animals within five days; failure leads to seizure and impoundment (5-7-19).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can Ada County do about an animal hoarder?
What basic care does the county require?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ada County
Compare Ada County to another location·View the Idaho animal ordinances overview
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