Animal Ordinances in Colonie, NY

If you live in Colonie or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Colonie has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Dog Leash Laws

A dog off its owner's premises in Colonie must be on an adequate collar and leash no longer than eight feet, or under the immediate control of a responsible person 16 or older, or it is legally running at large under Town Code § 79-6A(1).

Key details: Leash length limit: 8 feet maximum. At-large defined by: § 79-2. First-offense fine: up to $200 (§ 79-6C(1)). Repeat-offense fine: up to $350, then $500/15 days. Enforced by: Animal Control Officers, Colonie Police.

A first at-large or leash violation under § 79-6C is punishable by up to $200 if prosecuted under the Penal Law, rising to up to $350 for a repeat violation within five years and up to $500 or 15 days' imprisonment (or both) for a third violation within that period; the Town may instead pursue the same tiers as a civil penalty.

Chickens & Livestock

Town Code § 79-33 permits up to six noncommercial chickens on single-family residential lots, bars roosters and on-site breeding, and requires coops under 20 square feet set back 15 feet from property lines with a building permit.

Key details: Chicken limit: 6 per parcel, single-family lots. Roosters/breeding: prohibited. Coop/run size: 20 sq ft max, 48 in. height. Coop setback: 15 feet from property line. Livestock lot size: 5 acres minimum.

Violating either the chicken rules in § 79-33 or the livestock standards in § 79-34, including exceeding the six-bird cap, keeping a rooster, or building a coop or livestock enclosure closer than the required setback, is punishable by a fine of up to $200, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

Bird Protection

Town Code § 137-12(B) bars killing, trapping, hunting, pursuing or disturbing any wild bird, reptile, snake or other animal inside a Colonie Town park without Parks and Recreation Department permission; § 137-9(G) separately bans throwing objects at or annoying birds and squirrels, both carrying the same park-offense penalties.

Key details: Governing section: § 137-12(B), Parks and Recreation. Protected: Wild birds, reptiles, snakes, other wildlife. Exception: Special permission from Parks and Recreation Dept.. Related rule: § 137-9(G) bars throwing objects at wildlife. Maximum fine: $250 per offense, § 137-31(B).

Disturbing, trapping, hunting or pursuing a wild bird or other wildlife in a Colonie park without a Parks and Recreation Department permit is an offense under § 137-31(B): up to a $250 fine, up to 15 days in jail, or both, with each day treated as a separate violation. The Department may also revoke the violator's park privileges under § 137-31(A) and (C), and the Town Attorney can sue to recover any resulting cleanup costs under § 137-31(F).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Colonie actively enforces its bird protection requirements.

The Bottom Line

Colonie'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 Colonie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Colonie 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.