Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Unsterilized cap
- 4 dogs/cats combined
- All-sterilized cap
- 6 dogs/cats combined
- Above cap
- multiple animal site permit required
- Permit needs
- county zoning certification
- Max fine
- $300 (Code § 1-6)
Summary
Unincorporated Bernalillo County caps a household at four dogs and cats combined, six if every animal is sterilized, before Animal Care Services requires a multiple animal site permit.
No person or household shall own, harbor or keep more than a combined total of four dogs, cats or any combination thereof over the age of three months without, multiple animal site permit, or shelter permit. A household may have up to six dogs, cats or any combination thereof provided that all of the animals shall be sterilized without a multiple animal permit or shelter permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County Code § 6-42 sets the trigger for excessive-animal enforcement: own, harbor, or keep more than four dogs/cats combined (any age over three months) and you need a multiple animal site permit, which also requires a zoning-and-land-use certification from the County Zoning Department and lets Animal Care Services inspect the property. Households where every animal is sterilized may keep up to six without that permit. This applies only in unincorporated county territory. Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras enforce their own animal ordinances, not this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the cap without a multiple animal site permit is a Code violation under § 1-6: up to a $300 fine, 90 days' jail, or both, and any permit already issued can be suspended or revoked for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this pet limit apply in Albuquerque?
What if I want to keep more than four pets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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