Troy, NY Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

The cap is Troy City Code § 124-21, added by the Troy City Council on 12-5-2002 and amended on 1-2-2003. It counts only dogs more than four months of age, so a younger puppy sits outside the number. The ceiling depends on the building. In any premises containing three or fewer dwelling units, the ceiling is three dogs for the whole premises. In a premises containing four or more dwelling units, the ceiling is one dog in each dwelling unit.

The exemption for pet shops, veterinary hospitals and kennels reaches only kennels established in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance, which the code's editor's note points to as Chapter 285, Zoning.

A grandfather clause protects older animals. Dogs licensed before December 31, 2002, and harbored at a single dwelling unit or premises are outside the cap, but only those licensed dogs and only so long as they remain properly licensed. The clause does not allow a replacement or an addition until the change will not raise the total at the dwelling unit or premises to a number in violation of the section.

Subsection C keeps the city number as a ceiling that an owner can lower: nothing in the section prevents an owner from further restricting the number of dogs or prohibiting dogs on a premises.

The section counts dogs and prints no figure for cats. Dogs are licensed through the City Clerk's Office under § 124-19. The annual local fee is $15 for each spayed or neutered dog, $20 for each unspayed or unneutered dog and $7.50 for senior citizens, and guide or service dogs are exempt from licensing fees. The Animal Control Officer enforces the dog article under § 124-15, and the Judge of the Police Court of the City hears the prosecutions under § 124-14.