Brookhaven, NY Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Cap
- 10 dogs, 6 months+, per plot
- More than 10
- Board of Appeals special permit required
- Permit standard
- Decided under § 85-57B
- Exempt
- Existing nonconforming commercial kennels
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 15 days-6 months
Summary
A residential plot in unincorporated Brookhaven may house no more than 10 dogs six months or older. Anyone wanting more must apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a special permit, which requires a filing fee and a biennial renewal fee set by Town Board resolution.
Housing or harboring dogs in residential districts. (1) The housing or harboring of dogs shall be permitted in any residential district on the following conditions: No more than 10 dogs, six months of age or older, shall be permitted on any plot in a residential district, except that, upon application, the Board of Appeals, at its discretion, may grant a special permit for the housing or harboring of more in a residential district. Nonconforming commercial kennels shall be exempt from these restrictions, but any other nonconforming housing or harboring of dogs existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall become illegal six months after the effective date of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4966897; v79 updated 2026-05-28; through 05-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 23-3K governs housing or harboring dogs in residential districts: no more than 10 dogs six months of age or older are permitted on any one plot, but the Board of Appeals may, at its discretion, grant a special permit allowing more. That special permit application carries a filing fee set by Town Board resolution, plus a separate biennial renewal fee, and the Board of Appeals decides it under the standards of § 85-57B, specifying the maximum number and general type of dogs allowed.
Nonconforming commercial kennels already operating are exempt from the 10-dog cap, but any other nonconforming housing or harboring of dogs in place when the chapter was adopted became illegal six months after its effective date. The limit counts only dogs six months and older, so a litter of puppies under that age does not count toward the cap. As with the rest of Chapter 23, this residential-district cap applies to the unincorporated Town; Brookhaven's incorporated villages set their own separate kennel and pet-limit rules.
Violations & Fines
Violating the § 23-3K residential dog limit is a misdemeanor under § 23-17B, punishable by a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment of 15 days to six months, or both, with each week of continued violation a separate offense. Unlike most Chapter 23 violations, § 23-17D bars issuing an appearance ticket for a § 23-3K violation, so the owner must answer in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I legally keep at my Brookhaven home?
Can I get permission to keep more than 10 dogs?
What is the penalty for exceeding Brookhaven's dog limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
New York rules heatmap·Compare Brookhaven to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle pet limits.