Animal Ordinances in Gilbert, AZ

If you live in Gilbert or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Gilbert has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Cat Rules

Gilbert's animal code does not require stray cats to be picked up the way stray dogs are, but any cat that is impounded gets the same proper care as an impounded dog under Code of Gilbert § 6-102. An impounded cat may be purchased after a 72-hour hold if unclaimed, or reclaimed by its owner on proof of ownership and payment of pound fees.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Gilbert § 6-102. Minimum hold period: 72 hours (§ 6-103). Cat licensing: Not required, unlike dogs. Reclamation: Proof of ownership + pound fees (§ 6-104). Euthanasia methods: Limited to 3 approved methods (§ 6-105).

There is no direct 'stray cat at large' citation because the article does not make cats-at-large a violation the way § 6-60 does for dogs; enforcement exposure instead falls on an owner who fails to reclaim an impounded cat within the 72-hour hold in § 6-103, after which the town may sell or humanely dispose of the animal, or on anyone who interferes with an enforcement agent handling an impounded animal, a class 1 misdemeanor under § 6-5(b).

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

Dog Leash Laws

Gilbert prohibits dogs from running at large under Code of Gilbert § 6-60: every dog must stay confined to the owner's property in an enclosure, or on a leash no longer than six feet and directly under the owner's control, whenever it leaves that property. Designated off-leash areas in dog parks are the main blanket exception besides livestock work, hunting, kennel events and organized obedience training.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Gilbert § 6-60. Leash length limit: 6 feet maximum. Tag requirement: Collar/harness with license tag, dogs over 3 months. Off-leash exception: Designated dog park areas only. Owner liability: Full liability for injury/damage, § 6-61.

Letting a dog run at large is a citable civil offense enforced under § 6-101, with citations issued to the owner following state notice-to-appear procedure; the enforcement agent may impound the dog and, for a dangerous or fierce dog at large that cannot be safely captured, may destroy it on the spot. Owners also bear full civil liability under § 6-61 for any injury or property damage the loose dog causes, independent of any citation.

Beekeeping

Gilbert's Land Development Code lets residents keep apiaries in any residential zoning district by right, with one numeric condition: every hive location must sit at least 100 feet from any property line. There is no stated cap on hive count, unlike the Code's fowl provisions next to it.

Key details: Minimum setback: 100 feet from any property line. Where permitted: Any residential zoning district. Hive-count limit: None stated in this section. Commercial districts: Not addressed in Section 5.2.2(B). Governing section: LDC § 5.2.2(A)(4).

A hive sited closer than 100 feet to a property line does not meet the Section 5.2.2(A)(4) standard and can be cited as a zoning violation, enforced through the town's standard zoning compliance process rather than a separate beekeeping ordinance. A property owner found in violation would typically need to relocate or remove the noncompliant apiary to bring the site back into conformance before further zoning action is taken.

Chickens & Livestock

Gilbert regulates farm animals on residential lots through the town code. The number and type of animals depends on zoning district and lot size. Gilbert's agricultural heritage areas may have more permissive standards.

Key details: Regulation: Based on zone and lot size. Agricultural Areas: May be more permissive. Roosters: May be restricted. Sanitation: Clean conditions required.

Keeping livestock in violation of zoning or maintaining unsanitary conditions results in code enforcement. Animals creating nuisance conditions may be required to be removed.

Wildlife Feeding

Gilbert bans feeding wild or feral animals on town-owned property or in the public right-of-way. Code of Gilbert § 6-7, adopted by Ordinance No. 2664 in 2018, allows only one narrow exception: the parks and recreation director may authorize specific people to feed wild or feral animals for rescue, rehabilitation or management purposes.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Gilbert § 6-7. Adopted: Ordinance No. 2664, May 17, 2018. Scope: Town-owned property and public rights-of-way. Exception: Parks & recreation director authorization only. Purpose of exception: Rescue, rehabilitation or management.

Feeding wild or feral animals on town property or in a right-of-way without the parks and recreation director's authorization is a code violation, cited under Chapter 6 in the same manner as other animal-control offenses in the article. Because § 6-7 carries no separately stated penalty, the offense defaults to Gilbert's general municipal-code enforcement track, and repeat feeding at the same location can draw escalated code-compliance attention given the nuisance and habituation risks town staff cite for the parks-and-recreation exception process.

The Bottom Line

Gilbert'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 Gilbert is broadly strict or permissive.

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