Lyon County, NV Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Chapter 7.01 requires every dog over six months old owned by a Lyon County resident to be licensed through the Animal Services Division, with a metallic tag worn on a visible collar, except herding or livestock-guard dogs on greenbelt farm or ranch property and dogs temporarily housed in a licensed kennel, shelter or veterinary hospital. Late renewal within 30 days of expiration, a move into the county, or a change of ownership avoids penalty; otherwise the owner owes a 100 percent late fee on top of the regular license fee.

Separately, section 7.01.04(B)(2) caps ownership at three canine animals over six months at any one residence or premises without first obtaining a permit from the Animal Services Supervisor, who charges an additional yearly fee for each dog kept over three; that fee is waived for service dogs and for dogs owned by residents classified as senior citizens. Under section 7.01.04(B)(3), the Supervisor weighs nuisance potential and compliance with county ordinances and Nevada law before granting, denying or revoking either the license or the extra-dog permit.

The county's zoning code separately defines a 'Commercial Kennel' at section 15.1200.04.4(B)(1)(b) as keeping more than three dogs over six months for commercial purposes such as breeding, boarding for hire or sale, which triggers a distinct business-use permit track rather than the personal-pet permit under Chapter 7.01.