Animal Ordinances in Anchorage, AK (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Anchorage, Alaska, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Anchorage caps backyard chickens and other small animals by lot size and bans roosters and other loud fowl on smaller residential lots.
Anchorage Backyard Chicken & Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsAMC 21.05.070D.17
Excessively noisy animals such as roosters, turkeys, guinea fowl, peacocks, or geese are prohibited. ... Up to five animals may be kept on lots of 6,000 square feet or less, with an additional one animal per additional 1,000 square feet of lot area. A facility license may be required pursuant to Title 17. Structures for the outdoor keeping of animals shall not encroach into the setbacks of the ...
Dog Leash Laws
Anchorage requires dogs and other animals in public places to be on a leash and under the control of a competent handler, with narrow exceptions.
Anchorage Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.10.010
It is unlawful for any animal to be in a public place unless it is controlled by a leash, and in the control of a person competent to restrain the animal except: 1. Control of an animal by command is allowed if the animal is engaged in an activity that precludes it from accomplishing that activity if restrained, and the animal is in an area normally associated with that activity, and the act...
Breed Restrictions
Anchorage's animal code classifies dogs as dangerous by specific bite or aggression behavior under AMC 17.40, not by breed: there's no pit bull or breed-specific ban in the Municipal Code.
Anchorage Has No Breed-Specific Dog Ban
Few RestrictionsAMC 17.40.020
Subject to the authority of the chief animal control officer under subsection B below, an animal may be classified based on one of the following levels: 1. Level one behavior is established if an unrestrained animal is found to menace or chase, and display threatening or aggressive behavior, or otherwise threaten or endanger the safety of any person or domestic animal. 2. Level two behavi...
Beekeeping
Anchorage allows residential beekeeping but sets hive placement rules to keep bee flight paths off neighboring property.
Anchorage Backyard Beekeeping Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsAMC 21.05.070D.4 (Beekeeping)
Colonies of Apis mellifera shall be managed in such a manner that their flight path to and from the hive will not bring them into contact with people on adjacent property. To accomplish this, colonies shall be: At least 25 feet from any lot line not in common ownership; or ... placed behind a fence at least six feet in height and extending at least five feet beyond the hive in all directions. N...
Exotic Pets
Anchorage makes it a crime to own, possess, keep, harbor, transport, sell, or advertise for sale any wolf hybrid within municipal boundaries, unless state law provides an exception.
Anchorage Bans Wolf Hybrids
Heavy RestrictionsAMC 8.55.070
It is unlawful for any person, with criminal negligence to own, possess, keep, maintain, harbor, transport, sell or advertise for sale any wolf hybrid within municipal boundaries except as provided under state law. B. Violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor. (AO No. 92-75(S); AO No. 96-134(S-2), § 60, 7-1-1997; AO No. 98-59(S), § 2, 5-19-1998; AO No. 2003-73, § 3, 4-22-2003; AO N...
Wildlife Feeding
Anchorage bars residents from feeding moose, bears, and other wild animals under AMC 15.120.020, and treats leaving human food, pet food, or garbage where it attracts them as the same violation, whether the attraction was intentional or merely negligent.
Anchorage Bans Feeding Wild Animals
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.120.020
Except as provided in this section or under terms of a permit issued by the Municipality, the State of Alaska, or the United States federal government, a person may not: 1. Negligently feed wild animals or birds of prey or deleterious exotic wildlife, or negligently leave human food, animal food, or garbage in a manner that attracts these animals; or 2. Intentionally feed wild animals or ...
Pet Limits
Keep up to three dogs and three cats without a license. Own four or more of either species, or seven or more combined with rabbits, ferrets, or horses, and Anchorage requires a multi-animal facility license.
Anchorage Caps Dogs, Cats At 3
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.15.060.A.2
Multi-animal facility license. A person or facility, including a dwelling unit, residence, or business premise, that owns, possesses or is the custodian of four or more dogs, four or more cats, four or more rabbits, four or more ferrets, four or more horses or any combination of seven or more of the above animals, shall be required to obtain a multi-animal facility license: a. This section s...
Cat Rules
Anchorage doesn't license cats like dogs, but every cat over four months old must wear an ID tag or carry a microchip whenever it isn't confined to the owner's property, per Municipal Code 17.10.012.
Anchorage Cat ID Required, No License
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.10.012
The owner or custodian of a cat over the age of four months shall maintain an identification worn by the cat at all times except: 1. When the cat is on the private property of the owner or custodian; or 2. When the cat, under control by leash or control by confinement, is either in a public place or on the private property of another. B. Identification must be either a collar or tag wh...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Dogs and cats over four months old adopted from Anchorage's animal shelter must be spayed or neutered, with a written agreement and a $125 fine for missing the deadline.
Anchorage Mandatory Spay/Neuter for Shelter Pets
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.25.060(E)
Any dog or cat over the age of four months adopted from the animal care and control center shall be spayed or neutered except if, in the determination of a licensed veterinarian, a medical delay is required due to the health or age of the animal. The chief animal control officer shall establish procedures to accomplish spay/neuter, either at the animal care and control center, or through arrang...
Microchipping
Anchorage requires permanent microchip ID for any animal classified as dangerous under the animal-behavior code.
Anchorage Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.40.040.C
Microchip. To insure correct identification, all classified animals shall be implanted with a permanent microchip to identify the animal and its owner. D. Insurance. The chief animal control officer may require that the owner of an animal classified as level three or four furnish proof of liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000.00 for bodily injury to or the death of any perso...
Pet Store Rules
Anchorage has not banned retail dog and cat sales. Instead, AMC 17.15.060 requires any pet store to hold a commercial facility license from the Anchorage animal care and control center, the same license tier that covers boarders, groomers, and high-volume breeders, renewed annually.
Anchorage Pet Stores Need Commercial License
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.15.060
Commercial facility license. A person or facility that, for any period of time, boards or grooms dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and/or horses for fees or services, or any person or facility that reconveys four or more dogs or cats in a calendar year, or any person or facility that breeds more than three litters of dogs and/or cats in a calendar year shall be required to obtain a commercial facil...
Pet Groomer Rules
Anchorage requires anyone who boards or grooms dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, or horses for pay to hold a commercial facility license from Animal Care and Control, renewed annually for $150.
Anchorage Pet Groomer License Required
Some RestrictionsAMC 17.15.060
Commercial facility license. A person or facility that, for any period of time, boards or grooms dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and/or horses for fees or services, or any person or facility that reconveys four or more dogs or cats in a calendar year, or any person or facility that breeds more than three litters of dogs and/or cats in a calendar year shall be required to obtain a commercial facil...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Anchorage's Title 21 zoning code defines a veterinary clinic as an establishment where a licensed veterinarian treats animals and holds it to the same use-specific standards as an animal shelter, including a rule that every cage, pen, kennel, and treatment room be fully enclosed when the clinic sits within 100 feet of a residential use.
Anchorage Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsAMC 21.05.050B.5 (and B.2.b)
General Standards When Use is within 100 Feet of a Residential Use. All facilities, including all treatment rooms, cages, pens, kennels, and training rooms, shall be maintained within a completely enclosed building. ... Veterinary clinic. Definition. An establishment for the medical care and treatment of animals by a licensed veterinarian. Use-specific standard. Veterinary clinics shall comply ...
Bird Protection
Anchorage prohibits feeding wild animals, birds of prey, or invasive wildlife like rock doves and starlings, or leaving food that attracts them, to prevent dangerous habituation: with narrow exceptions for lawful bait, bird feeders, and trash handling.
Anchorage Bans Feeding Birds of Prey
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.120.020
Except as provided in this section or under terms of a permit issued by the Municipality, the State of Alaska, or the United States federal government, a person may not: 1. Negligently feed wild animals or birds of prey or deleterious exotic wildlife, or negligently leave human food, animal food, or garbage in a manner that attracts these animals; or 2. Intentionally feed wild animals or ...