How Burlington Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Burlington maintains 82 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Burlington falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

Burlington Code Chapter 5 requires dogs to be under owner control on a leash whenever off the owner's premises, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash areas in city parks.

Key details: Chapter: Burlington Code Ch. 5. Leash required: All public spaces. Contractor: Humane Society Chittenden Co.. License required: Annually with rabies proof.

Civil tickets issued by Burlington Police or Animal Control; impoundment fees and per-day boarding charges through the Humane Society contractor.

Breed Restrictions

Burlington does not impose breed-specific dog bans. Chapter 5 instead targets individual dogs declared vicious after a hearing, consistent with Vermont's behavior-based approach to dangerous-dog regulation.

Key details: Breed bans: None. Standard: Behavior-based. State law: 20 V.S.A. Ch. 193. Hearing body: Domestic Pets Board.

Failure to comply with vicious-dog confinement order can lead to additional fines, impoundment, or court-ordered destruction of the animal under Vermont law.

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

Wildlife Feeding

Burlington discourages feeding of wildlife and stray animals because it creates rodent, bear, and public-health problems. Vermont law also prohibits intentionally feeding black bears under 10 V.S.A. wildlife rules.

Key details: Bear feeding: Illegal under VT law. Bird feeders: Down April-November. Local nuisance: Ch. 21 sanitation. Reports: VT Fish and Wildlife.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife citations for bear feeding; Burlington Code Compliance nuisance abatement orders and per-day civil penalties.

Chickens & Livestock

Burlington permits a small number of backyard hens on residential lots subject to setbacks, coop standards, and a ban on roosters. Other livestock are restricted by zoning under the Comprehensive Development Ordinance.

Key details: Hens allowed: Yes, small flocks. Roosters: Prohibited. Coop: Setback and sanitation required. Other livestock: Generally prohibited.

Code Compliance citations under Ch. 14 with daily civil penalties; orders to remove non-compliant coops, animals, or roosters from the premises.

Beekeeping

Burlington allows residential beekeeping consistent with Vermont's apiary statutes. Hives must be registered with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and kept in a way that avoids creating a nuisance for neighbors.

Key details: State law: 6 V.S.A. Ch. 125. Registration: VT Ag required. Setback: Yes, plus flyway barrier. Permit: No city permit.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture inspection orders; Burlington Code Compliance nuisance citations if hives create swarming or sting hazards for neighbors.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Burlington gives residents more flexibility on beekeeping.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Burlington gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Burlington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.