How Albany Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Albany maintains 58 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Albany falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

Albany City Code Chapter 115, Article I ("Dogs Running at Large") requires every dog in the city to be restrained by an adequate collar and leash whenever off the owner's property. The dog must be under the control of the owner or a responsible person over 12 years of age. Hoffman Park is the only city park where dogs may be off leash if under voice control. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed with the City Clerk under NY Agriculture & Markets Law Article 7.

Key details: Leash Requirement: Adequate collar and leash required. Supervision: Owner or responsible person 12+. Off-Leash Park: Only Hoffman Park under voice control. Licensing: Over 4 months licensed annually. Breed Rule: Behavior-based dangerous-dog (§123).

Off-leash violations and other Chapter 115 infractions are violations under New York law. Albany's schedule sets first-offense leash fines at roughly $50, rising to $100–$250 for repeats within the same year. Failure to license a dog is up to $100. Failure to remove waste runs $50–$250. An adjudicated dangerous dog under Ag & Markets §123 may result in court-ordered restraint, mandatory liability insurance up to $100,000, and — where serious injury occurred — misdemeanor charges against the owner. Report violations to Albany Animal Control via the Albany Police non-emergency line at (518) 438-4000.

Chickens & Livestock

Albany permits up to six hens (no roosters) at any residential dwelling with a hen license issued by the City Clerk under Chapter 115, Article VIII. The application fee is $25. Coops must sit at least 25 feet from any neighboring occupied dwelling, and the lot must provide 200 sq ft of open area for two hens plus 100 sq ft for each additional hen. Larger livestock — goats, pigs, cattle — are prohibited city-wide under §115-31.

Key details: Maximum: Maximum 6 hens per residential lot under §115-32. Roosters And Other: Roosters and other male fowl are prohibited. Hen License Required: Hen license required from the City Clerk — $25 non-refundable fee. 25-foot Setback From: 25-foot setback from any neighboring occupied dwelling (waivable with written neighbor consent). Lot Must Have: Lot must have 200 sq ft for 2 hens + 100 sq.

Keeping prohibited livestock (goats, pigs, cattle, sheep, ducks, geese, roosters) under §115-31 is a violation punishable by fines of $250–$1,000 per animal per day. Keeping hens without a license, exceeding six hens, or violating setback/coop standards under §115-32 carries fines of $100–$500 and may result in license revocation and seizure of the hens under §115-35. Repeated complaints (noise, odor, escape) can also trigger nuisance abatement under Chapter 313 (Property Maintenance). Apply for a hen license at the City Clerk's office, City Hall, 24 Eagle Street.

Breed Restrictions

Albany has no breed-specific dog ban. New York Agriculture & Markets Law §107(5) expressly preempts breed-specific legislation: municipalities may run their own dangerous-dog programs only if those programs are not "specific as to breed." Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and every other breed are legal in Albany. Dangerous-dog adjudications follow the behavior-based framework in Ag & Markets §§121–123.

Key details: Legal Reference: NY Ag & Markets Law §107(5) preempts all breed-specific local dog laws statewide. Albany Has: Albany has no pit-bull, Rottweiler, or other breed ban. Municipal Dangerous-dog Programs: Municipal dangerous-dog programs allowed but cannot regulate "in a manner that specific as to breed". Legal Reference: Behavior-based dangerous-dog process runs through Ag & Markets §123 (court adjudication). Dimensions: Section also applies to NYC and every other NY municipality regardless of size.

A landlord or homeowner association attempting to enforce a private breed restriction operates under contract, not city law — that dispute belongs in housing court, not Animal Control. A municipal officer attempting to enforce any breed-specific rule would be acting ultra vires, and the order would be voidable. Genuine dangerous-dog complaints go through Ag & Markets §123: file a sworn complaint at Albany City Court, 24 Eagle Street, or call Albany Police non-emergency at (518) 438-4000. Failure to comply with a court-ordered dangerous-dog restraint is itself a misdemeanor under §123.

Albany is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Albany's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Albany is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Albany's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.