Animal Ordinances in Portland, ME: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Portland or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Portland has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Breed Restrictions

Portland does not — and legally cannot — restrict or ban dogs based on breed. Maine Revised Statutes 7 § 3950 expressly prohibits municipalities from adopting any breed-specific ordinance, law, or regulation. Dangerous-dog rules apply equally to all breeds.

Key details: Breed bans allowed?: No — preempted by 7 MRS § 3950. Pit bulls regulated?: No — by breed; same rules as any dog. Dangerous-dog standard: 7 MRS § 3907(12-D) — behavior-based, breed-neutral. Wolf hybrids: Regulated under dangerous-dog framework (7 MRS § 3907). Landlord/insurer breed rules: Private — not preempted by § 3950.

Because no breed-specific rule may exist, there are no breed-based municipal violations. Dangerous-dog violations (failing to comply with conditions of a dangerous-dog order, allowing a declared dangerous dog to be at large, etc.) are governed by 7 MRS § 3961-A and related sections, with civil and criminal penalties including potential Class D misdemeanor charges for serious cases. Owners of dogs that injure persons or animals also face civil liability under 7 MRS § 3961 (strict-liability statute for damages caused by dogs).

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

Exotic Pets

Portland Code Chapter 5, Article VI (Sec. 5-506 to 5-509), effective October 18, 2017, prohibits the display of wild and exotic animals in traveling animal acts (circuses, fairs, exhibitions). Personal exotic-pet ownership is governed by Maine state wildlife in captivity rules administered by Maine DIFW.

Key details: What is banned: Display of wild/exotic animals in traveling animal acts. Effective date: October 18, 2017 (Ord. 30-17/18). Penalty: $500 per offense (each animal × each day). Covered taxa: Big cats, bears, primates, elephants, kangaroos, seals, crocs, rhinos, nurse sharks. Excluded from ban: Horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, domestic cats.

Sec. 5-507(b) sets a penalty of $500.00 per offense, with each wild/exotic animal exhibited and each day of exhibition constituting a separate offense. Sec. 5-507(c) allows enforcement under the city's general penalty framework in Chapter 1, Sec. 1-15. The City Manager (or designee) is the enforcement Director under Sec. 5-508.

Compared to other cities, Portland takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

Portland has no specific beekeeping ordinance in Chapter 5 — beekeeping is generally allowed citywide. However, every Maine beekeeper must register their hives annually with the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by June 15 under 7 MRS §2701, and apiaries are subject to municipal nuisance enforcement.

Key details: Portland beekeeping ordinance: None in Chapter 5 — beekeeping allowed citywide. City permit: Not required. Hive cap: No local cap. Property-line setback: No local setback (best-practice standards apply). State registration: Required annually by June 15 (7 MRS §2701).

There is no Portland-specific beekeeping civil fine. State penalty for failure to register an apiary under 7 MRS §2701 is a civil forfeiture of not less than $1 nor more than $50 per colony. Nuisance enforcement runs through the city's general penalty framework (Chapter 1, Sec. 1-15) and the animal control officer.

The rules around beekeeping in Portland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Chickens & Livestock

Portland allows up to 6 female chickens per lot for non-commercial use under Chapter 5, Article IV (Sec. 5-400 et seq.). Roosters are banned, the chicken permit was repealed in 2017, and henhouses must sit at least 10 feet from any residential structure on adjacent lots.

Key details: Max chickens: 6 per lot, female only. Roosters: Prohibited. Permit required?: No — repealed 2017. Henhouse setback: 10 ft from any residential structure on adjacent lots. Yard location: Rear yard only (side yard OK on corner lots).

Sec. 411 imposes a civil fine of $100 per day per violation, with each day treated as a separate offense. Sec. 410 adds a $75 reinspection fee for the first re-check after a notice of violation, and $150 for each subsequent reinspection (collectible as a property lien under Sec. 1-16). Sec. 413 authorizes the health inspector, health officer, or animal control officer to order the removal of chickens if they pose a health risk.

Animal Hoarding

Portland has no city ordinance that sets a specific limit on the number of pets a person may keep or that uses the term 'animal hoarding.' Hoarding cases are prosecuted under Maine's animal cruelty statute (17 MRS §1031 and 7 MRS §4011) when animals are deprived of necessary sustenance, medical attention, shelter, or humanely clean conditions.

Key details: Portland pet-number cap: None for dogs/cats — 6 chickens (Sec. 5-402). Hoarding term in code: Not used — handled under cruelty statute. Primary state law: 17 MRS §1031 (criminal); 7 MRS §4011 (civil). Class D criminal penalty: Up to 364 days + $2,000 fine. Class C (aggravated/repeat): Up to 5 years + $5,000 fine.

State penalties under 17 MRS §1031: Class D crime (up to 364 days jail and $2,000 fine) for cruelty, including neglect/deprivation; Class C crime (up to 5 years and $5,000 fine) for aggravated cruelty or repeat offenses. Animals may be ordered forfeited under 7 MRS §4011 (civil seizure) and the court may impose a ban on future animal ownership (minimum 5 years for Class C convictions). Portland animal control may seize animals immediately in emergencies and bill the owner for boarding and veterinary costs.

Dog Leash Laws

Maine state law (7 MRS § 3911) makes it unlawful for any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to be at large except when hunting. Portland enforces this through its Animal Control program and applies additional leash rules in city parks and on public ways.

Key details: State at-large law: 7 MRS § 3911 — no dog at large, licensed or not. First-offense fine: $50–$250 (7 MRS § 3915). Repeat-offense fine: $100–$500. Hunting exception: Lawful hunting use exempt. Off-leash areas: Posted Portland parks during permitted hours only.

Under 7 MRS § 3915, a first dog-at-large violation is a civil forfeiture of $50 to $250; subsequent violations carry $100 to $500. Portland's local Chapter 5 ordinances generally mirror or stack on this baseline. Park-rule violations may be cited separately. Animal Control may impound a dog found at large; reclaim requires payment of impound and boarding fees plus proof of current rabies vaccination and Portland dog license (state dog licensing required by 7 MRS § 3921).

Wildlife Feeding

Under Portland Code Sec. 5-110 (Article III), it is illegal to intentionally feed wildlife — including pigeons and squirrels — on public ways or on city-owned/controlled property within the Portland Downtown District. Lincoln Park is exempted. A verbal or written warning is required before a citation can be issued.

Key details: Where banned: Public ways and city-owned property within Downtown District. Where allowed: Lincoln Park (exempt); also private property outside downtown. Wildlife includes: Pigeons, squirrels, any undomesticated bird or animal. Wildlife excludes: Dogs, deer. Warning required: Yes — one verbal or written warning before citation.

Sec. 5-111 requires that before issuing a citation, a police officer or any law enforcement or code enforcement officer must first issue one verbal or written warning. If the person ceases the activity, no citation issues. Once one warning has been given, no subsequent warnings are required and citations may issue directly. Citations are processed under the city's general penalty framework in Chapter 1, Sec. 1-15.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Portland gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 7 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 Portland 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.