Irondequoit, NY Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 235-73 of the Town of Irondequoit Code, in the zoning chapter, sets the household cap. The base rule is no more than two dogs or three cats harbored per dwelling unit in any residential district in the Town of Irondequoit, as an accessory use. The section was amended 8-18-1998 by L.L. No. 1-1998 and again 8-21-2001 by L.L. No. 10-2001.

The permit trigger is written in terms of adult animals. An adult dog is six months or older, and an adult cat is three months or older. Harboring or keeping three or more adult dogs, or more than three adult cats, requires a special use permit secured from the Animal Control Officer. The Town Board does not issue it.

The permit is not a one-time approval. It is subject to review annually by the Animal Control Officer to ensure the conditions of the special use permit are enforced, and it is subject to revocation if, in the judgement of the Town Clerk or the Animal Control Officer, the keeping of the dogs or cats constitutes a public nuisance.

In deciding a permit, the Animal Control Officer can weigh, where material in each case and among other relevant factors, any danger to neighboring property or children, noise or offensive emission of odors or fumes, and any detriment to the health, safety, morals or general welfare of the community, and whether the use is appropriate to the particular location. A household with a large dog population on a small lot is therefore judged on the facts of that lot, not only on the headcount.

The cap applies to residential districts. Chapter 160 of the Town Code separately bars any animal or bird that makes excessive noise, so a permit does not shield a barking dog from a noise complaint.