Animal Ordinances in Amherst, NY (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Amherst bans keeping livestock outside farm districts but carves out backyard chickens: up to six hens, no roosters, a Building Department permit, and a coop that keeps them fully enclosed on the lot.
Amherst Backyard Chicken Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 99-2(A); § 6-8-9(B) (Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 203)
No person, firm or corporation shall, except where permitted by the applicable zoning ordinance, own, keep, harbor, or maintain the care, custody or control of livestock except for chickens regulated by Chapter 203, § 6-8-9(B). ...In the SA, R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts, chickens may be raised in compliance with the following minimum regulations: The raising of chickens shall be conduct...
Dog Leash Laws
A dog off its owner's property anywhere in Amherst outside the Village of Williamsville must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under a responsible person's control, except in posted Town dog parks.
Amherst Dog Leash Law: 6-Foot Limit
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 99-2(B)
No person, firm or corporation owning, keeping, harboring or having the care, custody or control of any dog shall allow or permit such dog to be off the premises of such person, firm or corporation in the Town of Amherst, New York, outside the Village of Williamsville, unless restrained by a chain or leash, including retractable leashes, not exceeding six feet in length and under the control of...
Wildlife Feeding
The Town of Amherst outlaws feeding wild waterfowl, including Canada geese and mallard ducks, anywhere in town at any time of year. Adopted in 2006 after feeding caused rat infestations, park damage and disease risks, the ban is enforced by the Amherst Police Department and carries fines up to $300 plus possible jail time.
Amherst Ban on Feeding Wild Waterfowl
Heavy RestrictionsAmherst Code §§ 199-1, 199-2
§ 199-1. Legislative findings and intent. It is the intent of this chapter to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community and its wildlife by prohibiting the feeding of wild waterfowl within the Town of Amherst. Feeding of wild waterfowl within the Town has contributed to serious rat and other predatory animal infestation problems, damage to public parks, water quality problems, tra...
Pet Limits
Amherst's Zoning Code does not cap dogs by a simple household number; instead it defines a "kennel" as any premises with four or more dogs over four months old. Hit that fourth dog and the property becomes a regulated kennel use, triggering the 200-foot front-yard and 100-foot side/rear-yard setbacks of § 203-6-8-7. The code read here sets no equivalent numeric ceiling for cats.
Amherst's Four-Dog Kennel Threshold
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 203-2-4
KENNEL Any premises on which four or more dogs more than four months old are kept.
Cat Rules
Amherst Code Chapter 99, Article II bars turning a cat loose: whoever harbors one must make a reasonable effort to keep it on the property and under control, stop it from yowling loudly enough to disturb neighbors, and clean up its droppings off other people's land. A 2019 local law separately legalizes Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Town-wide and shields registered community cat caretakers from several other animal laws.
Amherst's Cat Harboring and TNVR Colony Rules
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 99-18
Cats are prohibited within the Town except as follows: A. Any person harboring a cat shall make a reasonable effort to keep the animal on the premises and under the control of said person. B. No person shall harbor a cat which by its frequent yowling shall unreasonably disturb the comfort or repose of the community. C. Any person harboring a cat shall make a reasonable effort to expeditiously r...
Pet Groomer Rules
Amherst zones pet grooming facilities as a commercial use under Town Code § 203-6-4-1, permitted only in the zoning districts whose use tables list "Animal grooming, cat boarding facility, hospital or veterinarian." A 2008 amendment requires every activity tied to the operation, from bathing to nail trims, to happen inside a completely enclosed building.
Amherst, NY Pet Grooming Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 203-6-4-1
Animal Grooming, Cat Boarding Facility, Animal Hospital or Veterinarian. An animal grooming facility, cat boarding facility, animal hospital or veterinarian is permitted in accordance with the district use tables in Part 4 or Part 5, provided that all activity associated with the operation shall take place within a completely enclosed building.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Amherst's Zoning Ordinance allows animal hospitals and veterinary clinics only where the district use table permits them, and only inside a completely enclosed building. Section 6-4-1 folds veterinarians in with animal grooming and cat boarding facilities under one enclosure rule enforced by the Building Department.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules in Amherst, NY
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 6-4-1
6-4-1. Animal Grooming, Cat Boarding Facility, Animal Hospital or Veterinarian. An animal grooming facility, cat boarding facility, animal hospital or veterinarian is permitted in accordance with the district use tables in Part 4 or Part 5, provided that all activity associated with the operation shall take place within a completely enclosed building.
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Erie County →