Animal Ordinances in Alexandria, VA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Alexandria, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Alexandria bans keeping fowl, including chickens, within 200 feet of any residence you don't occupy, and caps livestock like goats, sheep and horses to large lots under Sec. 5-7-2 and Sec. 5-7-3 of the City Code. Livestock needs at least 1.5 acres and specific setbacks; violators face a $5 to $10 daily fine.
Alexandria Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsAlexandria City Code § 5-7-3 (see also § 5-7-2)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow livestock to be kept within the city on any area less than one and one-half acres in size or within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by such person or within 25 feet of any property line. Not more than two head of adult livestock and their immature offspring may be kept on an area of one and one-half acres and not more th...
Dog Leash Laws
Alexandria City Code Sec. 5-7-32 prohibits any dog or exotic/poisonous animal from running at large within the city. Dogs must be secured by a leash, lead, or other physical restraint that is not harmful to the dog.
Alexandria Running-at-Large Prohibition (Sec. 5-7-32)
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6538 (Governing Body of Any Locality May Prohibit Dogs from Running at Large)
3.2-6538 . Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty. Any locality may by ordinance prohibit the running at large of all or any category of dogs, except dogs used for hunting, in all or any designated portion of such locality during such months as it may designate. Any such locality may also require that dogs be confined, restricted, or penned up duri...
Breed Restrictions
Virginia law, applied in Alexandria through City Code Sec. 5-7-36, lets a court order a dog euthanized once it is proven a 'vicious dog', but Va. Code § 3.2-6540.1(C) expressly bars finding any dog vicious based on breed alone. Owners whose reckless neglect lets a dog cause serious injury face a Class 6 felony.
Alexandria Vicious Dog Law & Penalties
Significant RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6540.1
A. As used in this section: "Vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has (i) killed a person, (ii) inflicted serious injury to a person, or (iii) continued to exhibit the behavior that resulted in a previous finding by a court...that it is a dangerous dog, provided that its owner has been given notice of that finding.... C. No canine or canine crossbreed shall be found to be a vic...
Beekeeping
Alexandria regulates beekeeping through local ordinance. Virginia has a State Apiarist program under VA Code §3.2-4400.
Alexandria Beekeeping Rules
Few RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-4400 (Beekeeping - Definitions)
3.2-4400 . Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Apiary" means any place where one or more colonies of bees are kept. "Appliance" means any apparatus, tool, machine, or other device used in the handling and manipulating of bees, honey, wax, hives, and hive parts and shall include containers used in transporting, processing, storing, or merchandi...
Pet Limits
City Code Sec. 5-7-57 caps household pets at five dogs over four months old or four cats over four months old per dwelling unit anywhere in Alexandria. The cap applies per unit, not per lot, so a single-family home and each unit in a duplex or apartment building are counted separately.
Alexandria Pet Limit: 5 Dogs, 4 Cats
Some RestrictionsAlexandria City Code § 5-7-57
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep more than five dogs over four months of age or four cats over four months of age in any dwelling unit in the city.
Cat Rules
Every cat four months or older in Alexandria must carry an individual license and current rabies vaccination under City Code Sec. 5-7-47 and Sec. 5-7-38.1. Alexandria has no running-at-large or leash law for cats specifically, but licensing, a $10-$30 annual tax range, and a four-cat-per-dwelling cap all apply citywide.
Alexandria Cat Licensing & Rabies Rules
Some RestrictionsAlexandria City Code §§ 5-7-47, 5-7-38.1
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to own a dog or cat four months old or older within the city unless such dog or cat is licensed, as required by the provisions of this article.(b)All dog and cat license taxes collected pursuant to this article shall be paid into the general fund from which sufficient funds for the operation and maintenance of the animal shelter may be provided, as authori...
Microchipping
Alexandria doesn't require microchipping for pets generally, but once a court declares a dog 'dangerous' under City Code Sec. 5-7-36, the owner must have it permanently identified by tattoo or electronic implantation (microchip) before the city will issue the required dangerous-dog registration certificate.
Alexandria Dangerous Dog Microchip ID Rule
Light RestrictionsAlexandria City Code § 5-7-36(h)
owners who apply for certificates or renewals thereof under this section shall not be issued a certificate or renewal thereof unless they present satisfactory evidence that (i) their residence is and will continue to be posted with clearly visible signs warning both minors and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property and (ii) the animal has been permanently identified by means ...
Pet Groomer Rules
Alexandria's Zoning Ordinance classifies a pet-grooming business as a "personal service" use under Section 2-183.1, which expressly lists "animal care facility with no overnight accommodation" as an example. A stand-alone grooming shop with no boarding is permitted by right wherever personal service uses are allowed; adding overnight boarding pushes the business into a separate, more restrictive use category.
Alexandria Pet Groomers: Personal Service Rules
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance § 2-183.1 (Personal service)
A commercial operation providing personal, financial, technical or repair services, assistance or advice to individual consumers, including, but not limited to: Animal care facility with no overnight accommodation;
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Alexandria's Zoning Ordinance treats a veterinary hospital as an 'animal care facility' (Sec. 2-110), and whether it needs a permit turns on overnight boarding. A clinic with no overnight stays is a personal service allowed by right in commercial zones; one that boards patients overnight needs administrative approval in a commercial complex or a City Council special use permit elsewhere.
Alexandria Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsAlexandria Zoning Ordinance Secs. 2-110, 4-102.1(A), 4-103(A)
2-110 - Animal care facility. A place where common household pets are cared for, such as a grooming, training, and temporary boarding facilities, veterinary/animal hospitals, but not including businesses that meet the definition of animal shelter. [...] 4-102.1 - Administrative special uses. The following uses may be allowed in the CL zone with administrative approval, subject to section 11-513...