Maricopa County, AZ Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Kennel threshold
- 5+ dogs on one property
- Permit fee
- $75 annually
- Late penalty
- $25 added to fee
- Noncompliance after notice
- Class 2 misdemeanor
- Scope
- Unincorporated Maricopa County only
Summary
In unincorporated Maricopa County, keeping five or more dogs on one property makes it a 'kennel' under Ordinance P-13, triggering a mandatory $75 annual permit from the Board of Supervisors, unless every dog is individually licensed instead.
"Kennel" means an enclosed, controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, harbors or maintains five or more dogs under controlled conditions. ... A person operating a kennel shall obtain a permit issued by the County Board of Supervisors where the kennel is located except if each individual dog is licensed. The annual fee for the kennel permit is seventy-five dollars.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance P-13 defines a kennel as an enclosed, controlled area where a person keeps, harbors, or maintains five or more dogs under controlled conditions. Anyone operating a kennel in unincorporated Maricopa County must obtain an annual $75 kennel permit from the Board of Supervisors, unless each dog is licensed individually instead. Applying late adds a $25 penalty on top of the fee, and knowingly skipping the permit for 30 days after written notice from the county enforcement agent is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The rule sets no numeric limit on cats or on fewer than five dogs: households with four or fewer dogs are unaffected.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unpermitted kennel (5+ dogs) draws a $25 penalty added to the $75 fee; ignoring a 30-day written notice from the county enforcement agent to obtain the permit is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I keep without a kennel permit in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Does the kennel rule limit how many cats I can own?
What happens if I don't get a kennel permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview
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