Animal Ordinances in Birmingham, AL (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Birmingham's zoning ordinance allows a backyard chicken coop as an accessory use to a single-family home in D-1, D-2 and D-3 districts: no more than 6 hens, roosters prohibited, and an enclosed predator-proof coop/run in the rear yard. Larger flocks (up to 100 hens) and livestock barns are allowed only in agricultural/commercial districts.
Up to 6 hens, no roosters; coop accessory use
Some RestrictionsCity of Birmingham Zoning Ordinance, Title 1, Chapter 4 (Land Use Development Standards - Permitted as Accessory), Sec. on Chicken Coop, subsec. B
B. Chicken Coop. In D-1, D-2 and D-3 districts a chicken coop shall be permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling provided that the following conditions are met: 1. It is accessory to an occupied single-family detached residential structure. 2. Hens are not kept in residential structure and must be kept in coop/run at all times. 3. Roosters are prohibited. 4. No more than 6 hens per property. ...
Dog Leash Laws
Birmingham requires dogs to be on a leash or under restraint when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large may be impounded by animal control.
Birmingham Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Birmingham does not impose a breed-specific ban. Alabama's dangerous-dog law (Emily's Law) is expressly breed-neutral: a dog is judged dangerous by its conduct, regardless of breed, which constrains any local breed-specific legislation.
No breed bans; dangerous-dog law is breed-neutral
Few RestrictionsAla. Code Sec. 3-6A-3 (Control of Dangerous Dogs - Definitions; 'Emily's Law')
DANGEROUS DOG. A dog, regardless of its breed, that has bitten, attacked, or caused physical injury, serious physical injury, or death to a person without justification, except a dog that is a police animal as defined by Section 13A-11-260, used by law enforcement officials for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is generally permitted in Birmingham with proper colony management. Alabama has a supportive beekeeping framework through the state Department of Agriculture.
Birmingham Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Exotic pet ownership in Birmingham is regulated by Alabama state law. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources controls permits for wildlife. Section 11-8-8 prohibits keeping certain animals.
Birmingham Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Birmingham prohibits feeding deer, raccoons, feral cats, and other wildlife when it creates a nuisance or attracts rodents, with enforcement coordinated through Animal Services and JCDH.
Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Birmingham works with Animal Services and Alabama state cruelty statutes to investigate hoarding situations, allowing seizure of animals living in unsanitary or overcrowded conditions.
Animal Hoarding and Cruelty
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
No Birmingham-specific ordinance sets a fixed maximum number of household dogs or cats; Alabama state law does not impose a numeric pet limit either. Animals must still be confined, vaccinated for rabies, and may not be kept so as to create a public nuisance.
No fixed numeric dog/cat cap; nuisance limits apply
Few RestrictionsAla. Code Sec. 3-7A-14 (rabies chapter; municipal authority to control and regulate dogs and cats)
Nothing in this chapter shall be held to limit in any manner the power of any municipality to prohibit dogs, cats, or ferrets from running at large, regardless of rabies immunization status as herein provided; nor shall anything in this chapter be construed, in any manner, to limit the power of any municipality to further control and regulate dogs or cats in such municipality.
Cat Rules
Birmingham does not require leashes for cats but treats nuisance, biting, or repeated property damage as enforceable, and supports trap-neuter-return for managed community-cat colonies.
Outdoor and Roaming Cats
Few RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Birmingham requires spay or neuter for adopted shelter animals and offers low-cost surgery referrals; intact pets need a higher-fee license and may face restrictions after a roaming complaint.
Spay/Neuter Requirements
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Birmingham licenses dogs and cats annually and strongly recommends microchipping to speed shelter returns; the city shelter chips animals at intake before adoption or release to owners.
Pet Microchip and Licensing
Few RestrictionsLooking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Jefferson County →