Tucson Code Chapter 4 caps the number of dogs and cats per household before a kennel-class permit and zoning review become required. Higher counts must clear setback and noise standards under the Unified Development Code.
Tucson Code Chapter 4 governs the keeping of dogs and cats in residential zones. Households exceeding the per-residence threshold for adult dogs or cats are treated as kennels and trigger a kennel permit, additional inspection, and zoning conformance under the Unified Development Code (UDC). Foster homes working with PACC or recognized rescues may apply for variances. The rule is meant to prevent neighborhood nuisance, odor, and noise complaints rather than to penalize multi-pet families. Animal counts include only adult animals; litters under a defined age are excluded for a limited grace period after birth or fostering intake.
Exceeding the household pet count without a kennel permit can result in code-enforcement citations, daily fines, and required reduction of the animal count to legal levels.
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