Animal Ordinances in Cranston, RI (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Cranston, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cranston limits residents to one rooster, housed in a coop and fenced area at least 150 feet from a neighbor's dwelling; keeping swine anywhere in the city requires an annual permit, and horses need 20,000 square feet of pasture in built-up areas.
Cranston Rooster, Swine and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.300
Each homeowner is permitted to keep one rooster in a coop and fenced in area on their property no closer than one hundred fifty (150) feet to the dwelling of any abutter.
Dog Leash Laws
Cranston law requires dog owners to keep their dog under restraint, on a leash or other security device, everywhere off the owner's property, with violators facing a fine up to $250.
Cranston Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.040
The owner shall keep his or her dog under restraint at all times and shall not permit such dog to be at large, off the premises of the property owner unless under the control of a leash or other security device. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
Breed Restrictions
Cranston has no breed-specific dog ban, but owners of any fierce, dangerous, or vicious dog face escalating fines and jail time for bite injuries, plus mandatory liability insurance after repeat offenses.
Cranston Dangerous Dog Rules & Fines
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.080(F)
The owner of any known fierce, dangerous or vicious dog shall be responsible for its actions and should the animal bite or otherwise inflict any injury upon any person or persons, he or she shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense; one hundred dollars ($100.00) or twenty (20) days in jail for the second offense; one hundred dollars ($100.00) or thirty (3...
Exotic Pets
Cranston bans keeping wild animals within city limits except as fixed by the dog officer, with exemptions for circuses, zoos, and educational institutions; owners of exotic, wild, or hybrid animals face steep fines if the animal injures someone.
Cranston Wild Animal Ownership Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.080(E), (G)
No wild animal may be kept within the city limits, except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the dog officer, provided, however, that wild animals may be kept for exhibiting purposes by circuses, zoos, and educational institutions, in accordance with such regulations shall be established by the dog officer. Any wild animal which escapes and is found at large may be destroyed by the dog ...
Wildlife Feeding
Cranston bars leaving food loose in the open for birds or animals, caps residents at one outdoor bird feeder until the city's rodent problem clears, and fines extra feeders $50 per instance.
Cranston Wildlife and Bird Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 8.36.080 (see also § 8.36.090)
No person shall place food in the open for the feeding of any domesticated fowl, birds or animals except in such containers as will prevent the scattering of such food upon the ground. After such feeding, such food shall not be allowed remain where it is accessible to rodents. No person shall place more than one bird feeder per property until the rodent infestation in Cranston is eliminated. ...
Pet Limits
Cranston caps unlicensed dogs at two per address and hard-caps cats at four, unless the dog officer certifies the property for more animals or you hold a kennel license.
Cranston Pet Limits: Two Dogs, Four Cats
Significant RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.190(F)-(H)
F. The city clerk shall not issue to any person, or to more than one person residing at the same address, licenses for more than two dogs unless the dog officer shall certify in writing to the city clerk that the premises at which such dogs are proposed to be kept are suitable for the keeping of more than two dogs and that the keeping of more than two dogs therein will not tend to create a nu...
Cat Rules
Cranston caps cat ownership at four per address unless the property is licensed as a kennel or pet shop, with fees and fines enforced by animal control.
Cranston Four-Cat Limit Per Address
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances § 6.08.190(H)
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons at the same address to own or keep within the city more than four cats, unless the premises are lawfully used for a kennel or pet shop. I. The animal control officer shall charge a fee, as specified in the following schedule, to be paid by the owner of any dog or cat taken to the animal shelter for the purpose of transferring title or for the di...
Bird Protection
Cranston limits each property to one bird feeder while the city's rodent infestation persists, and requires wild bird feed to sit in a container elevated at least 48 inches off the ground.
Cranston Bird Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsCranston Code of Ordinances §§ 8.36.080, 8.36.090
No person shall place more than one bird feeder per property until the rodent infestation in Cranston is eliminated. Persons placing more than one bird feeder per property shall be considered to be creating a nuisance and shall be fined accordingly in an amount no less than fifty dollars ($50.00) per instance. ... No person shall feed wild birds other than in suitable containers for the food, e...