Madison, AL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Pet cap
- No fixed household limit
- Kennel threshold
- 5+ dogs or cats
- Kennel space
- 10 ft x 25 ft per animal
- License required
- Dogs & cats over 3 months
- Code sections
- § 6-1, § 6-38
Summary
Madison sets no simple cap on household pets, but any premises keeping five or more dogs or cats is treated as a "kennel" and must meet space standards and licensing. Every dog and cat over three months must be registered and licensed.
Kennel, private, means any premises wherein five or more dogs or cats are kept and are provided a minimum of a ten-foot by 25-foot area for each animal and which is not principally operated as a commercial enterprise.
Full Breakdown
Madison City Code § 6-1 defines a "private kennel" as any premises where five or more dogs or cats are kept, each provided at least a ten-foot by 25-foot area, and not run as a commercial enterprise. A commercial kennel is one operated as a business boarding, breeding, or selling animals. So while there is no flat "3-pet" limit, hitting five or more dogs or cats triggers kennel space and licensing rules. Separately, § 6-38 requires the owner of every dog and cat over three months of age to register the animal and obtain a license (after proof of rabies vaccination), renewable annually or tri-annually.
Violations & Fines
Failing to license a dog or cat carries minimum fines of $25/$50/$100 under § 6-2; unlicensed animals at large may be impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I have in Madison, Alabama?
Do I have to license my pets in Madison?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Madison County handle pet limits.