Lake Havasu City's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times outside of designated off-leash areas. A dog is 'at large' if it is neither confined nor physically restrained by a leash.

Key details: Authority: LHC Code Title 6 / § 6.20. Max Leash Length: 6 feet. License Required: Dogs over 4 months. License Renewal: Every 1 or 3 years. Animal Control: 928-855-1171.

First offense civil fine plus impound and boarding fees if the dog is picked up by Animal Control; repeat or aggravated violations (dog-bite cases) may be charged criminally under Chapter 6.16.

Chickens & Livestock

Ordinance 24-1328 (effective March 2024) allows residents of single-family detached homes on lots of one-half acre or less to keep up to 6 fowl as an accessory use, complying with Arizona House Bill 2325.

Key details: Authority: Ord. 24-1328 / ARS §9-499.20. Max Fowl: 6 per single-family residence. Lot Size Limit: 0.5 acres or less. Livestock Confinement: Required per § 6.20.020.

Non-compliant fowl keeping (over 6 birds, unenclosed, or causing noise/odor nuisance) is enforced civilly under Title 6 with fines up to $500. Livestock at large may be impounded.

Livestock

Section 6.20.020 requires horses, mules, cattle, burros, goats, sheep, swine, and poultry to be kept in a pen or similar enclosure to prevent roaming at large. Animal Control may impound livestock running at large.

Key details: Code Section: LHC Code § 6.20.020. Covered Animals: Horses, mules, cattle, burros, goats, sheep, swine, poultry. Standard: Pen or enclosure preventing roaming. Enforcement: LHCPD Animal Control.

Civil citation plus impound/boarding fees. Repeated escape incidents may lead to criminal nuisance charges under Title 6.

Breed Restrictions

Chapter 6.16 (Cruelty, Neglect, and Dangerous Animals) regulates vicious and dangerous animals without breed-specific restrictions. Owners of dogs declared dangerous must comply with confinement, insurance, and signage requirements.

Key details: Code Chapter: LHC Code Ch. 6.16. Breed Bans: None — preempted by ARS §11-1027. Standard: Behavioral (bite/attack history). Enforcement: LHCPD Animal Control.

Failure to comply with dangerous-animal restrictions is a Class 1 misdemeanor with potential animal seizure. Bite cases generate civil liability and rabies-quarantine requirements under ARS §11-1014.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lake Havasu City actively enforces its breed restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Lake Havasu City'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 Lake Havasu City is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Lake Havasu City's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.