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Fauquier County, VA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Kennel threshold
5+ dogs, cats or hybrids
Zoning proof required
letter from Zoning Administrator
Tax tier (up to 10 dogs)
$30 per year
Tax tier (41+ dogs)
$200 per year
Due date
January 1-31 annually
Late penalty
$150 civil penalty; dogs may be confiscated

Summary

Fauquier County does not cap the number of pets in a household, but keeping five or more dogs, cats or hybrids for breeding, boarding, training or similar purposes meets the legal definition of a kennel under County Code § 4-1. That triggers zoning compliance verification and a graduated annual license tax instead of the standard lifetime dog tax.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Fauquier County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Kennel means any establishment in which five (5) or more canines, felines, or hybrids of either are kept for the purpose of breeding, hunting, training, renting, buying, boarding, selling or showing. ... The kennel owner must obtain and present to the treasurer a letter from a Fauquier County Zoning Administrator that determines the kennel is in compliance with county zoning ordinances. Upon presentation of such determination, the following annual license taxes shall be imposed on each kennel:(1)Kennels of up to ten (10) dogs shall pay an annual license tax of thirty dollars ($30.00). ... (5)Kennels of forty-one (41) to fifty (50) or more dogs shall pay an annual license tax of two hundred dollars ($200.00).

View official code

Full Breakdown

Once a property meets the five-animal kennel threshold, § 4-13(c) requires the owner to obtain a letter from the Fauquier County Zoning Administrator confirming the kennel complies with county zoning ordinances before the treasurer can issue the kennel license. Annual license taxes then apply on a sliding scale by kennel size, from $30 a year for up to ten dogs to $200 a year for forty-one or more dogs, replacing the standard $10 lifetime dog license tax. The kennel license tax is due January 1 and must be paid no later than January 31 each year (§ 4-15). Kennel owners must also keep the license tag fastened to the kennel enclosure and identification plates on each dog, and a kennel dog straying beyond the enclosure without justification is unlawful (§ 4-23).

Violations & Fines

Failing to pay the kennel license tax before February 1 draws a $150 civil penalty under § 4-28(b), and the court may also order the kennel dogs confiscated and disposed of unless the fine and license tax are paid immediately. Operating a kennel that defrauds the county of applicable dog license taxes or lets a kennel dog stray also carries a civil penalty under § 4-28.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a legal limit on how many dogs or cats I can own in Fauquier County?
The county does not set a numeric cap on pets in a private home. But once you keep five or more dogs, cats or hybrids for breeding, hunting, training, boarding, buying or showing, County Code § 4-1 classifies the operation as a kennel, triggering separate zoning and licensing requirements.
What do I need to operate a kennel in unincorporated Fauquier County?
Under § 4-13(c), the kennel owner must first get a letter from the Fauquier County Zoning Administrator confirming zoning compliance, then pay an annual license tax to the treasurer scaled to the kennel's size, from $30 for up to ten dogs to $200 for forty-one or more.
When is the kennel license tax due?
County Code § 4-15 sets the kennel license tax due on January 1 and payable no later than January 31 each year, separate from the individual dog lifetime tax deadline tied to a dog's age.
What happens if a kennel owner doesn't pay the license tax on time?
Section 4-28(b) imposes a $150 civil penalty for failing to pay the kennel license tax by February 1, and the court may also order the kennel dogs confiscated and disposed of unless the fine and tax are paid immediately.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fauquier County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksHeavy Restrictions

All Fauquier County rules

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