Animal Ordinances in Colonie, NY (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Colonie, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Town of Colonie Code Chapter 79, Article III (Confinement of Livestock) allows up to six hens for noncommercial use in single-family residential districts. Roosters are prohibited, and swine are barred except on premises actively used for swine at the article's adoption.
Colonie Chickens & Livestock (Town Code Ch. 79, Art. III)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Town of Colonie Code Chapter 79, Article I prohibits dogs from running at large and requires an adequate collar with a leash no longer than eight feet, or immediate control by a handler at least 16 years old. All dogs four months or older must be licensed with the Town Clerk.
Colonie Dog Leash & Licensing (Town Code Ch. 79, Art. I)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
New York Agriculture and Markets Law section 107(5) preempts breed-specific legislation statewide. No municipality outside New York City (population over two million) may regulate dogs in a manner specific as to breed. The Town of Colonie has no breed ban, and any pit bull, Rottweiler, or other breed restriction would be unenforceable.
Colonie Breed-Specific Rules (Preempted by NY Ag & Markets Law §107)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The Town of Colonie has no beekeeping-specific ordinance in Chapter 79 of the Town Code. Apiaries are governed by New York Agriculture and Markets Law Article 15, which requires annual registration of all beekeepers with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and reporting of colony locations and disease.
Colonie Beekeeping (No Local Rule; NY Ag & Markets Art. 15 Registration)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
New York Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0512 prohibits the possession, sale, and transport of wild animals as pets statewide. The list includes big cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, skunks, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians. Colonie defers to ECL §11-0512 and has no separate local exotic-pet ordinance.
Colonie Exotic Pets (NY ECL §11-0512 Wild Animal Ban)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
New York Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0521 and 6 NYCRR Part 189 prohibit the intentional feeding of wild white-tailed deer and moose statewide. The Town of Colonie does not have its own wildlife-feeding ordinance but enforces the state deer-feeding ban through cooperation with NYS DEC Region 4.
Colonie Wildlife Feeding (NY ECL §11-0521 Deer & Moose Ban)
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in the Town of Colonie is addressed through New York Agriculture and Markets Law section 353 (overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals) and section 353-c (aggravated cruelty to companion animals). Colonie has no separate numeric hoarding cap, and prosecution proceeds in Colonie Town Court or Albany County Court depending on charge severity.
Colonie Animal Hoarding (NY Ag & Markets §353 + §353-c Aggravated)
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
The Town of Colonie does not impose a numeric limit on the number of dogs, cats, or other companion animals per household. Chapter 79 Article III caps chickens at six and bars roosters, and Article II bars new swine. Multi-pet households are otherwise regulated through cruelty, nuisance, and licensing laws rather than a count cap.
Colonie Pet Limits (No Numeric Cap; Chickens Capped at 6)
Few RestrictionsLooking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Colonie city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Albany County →