Salt Lake County, UT Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Numeric limit
- None for dogs, cats, ferrets
- Condition
- Must be licensed and not overbred
- Rabbits
- No breeding-nuisance limit, license-exempt
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Salt Lake County
Summary
Salt Lake County places no cap on the number of dogs, cats, or ferrets a resident of the unincorporated area may own, as long as each animal is licensed, cared for, and not bred into a nuisance.
There is no limitation on the numbers of dogs, cats, and ferrets that can be owned by a resident, provided that all dogs and cats are properly licensed and cared for, and not bred excessively or irresponsibly so as to constitute a nuisance. Owners are required to prevent their animals from causing, and shall abate, any nuisances caused by animals including, but not limited to, noise and odor, and follow all provisions of this title.
A.Rabbit limits. No person or persons at any one residence shall allow rabbits to breed excessively or irresponsibly as to constitute a nuisance. Rabbit owners must follow all provisions of this title. Rabbits are exempt from licensing requirements. (Ord. No. 1877, § V, 4-27-2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 49).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 8.04.100 sets no numeric household limit on dogs, cats, or ferrets, but conditions that on animals being properly licensed and cared for and not bred excessively or irresponsibly so as to become a nuisance. A separate clause caps rabbits by the same nuisance-breeding standard, though rabbits are exempt from the licensing requirement that applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Owners must still abate any noise or odor nuisance their animals cause.
Violations & Fines
Owners who let animals breed into a nuisance, or who skip required licensing, face a civil notice of violation or a Class B misdemeanor citation under Title 8's general enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a maximum number of dogs or cats allowed in Salt Lake County?
Does this apply inside Salt Lake City or West Jordan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake County
Compare Salt Lake County to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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