Animal Ordinances in Decatur, AL (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Decatur, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, no one can keep livestock within the city except where the zoning ordinance permits it. The AG-1 agricultural district lists livestock and poultry raising as a permitted use, on lots of at least 15,000 square feet, with livestock housing set back 100 feet. Livestock cannot run at large.
Backyard Chickens and Livestock in Decatur, Alabama
Significant RestrictionsDecatur City Code §§ 4-5, 16-15, 25-12.1
Except where permitted under the zoning ordinance, no person shall keep livestock, as defined by Code of Ala. 1975, section 3-5-1, within the city. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any domestic or farm animal or fowl, including cats and dogs, within the corporate limits of the city in any such manner as will be or may become a menace to public health, or in any such manner as to ...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, every dog owner or person in charge must keep the dog under effective restraint, on or off the owner's premises. Direct chaining of a dog to a stationary object is prohibited. A repeat off-premises violation within 12 months brings a $25 citation, and any later violation means a court appearance.
Dog Leash and Restraint Rules in Decatur, Alabama
Significant RestrictionsDecatur City Code §§ 4-2, 4-2.1, 4-2.3, 4-4
(a)It shall be the duty of every owner or person in charge of a dog to keep the animal under effective restraint, while the dog is within the city, whether or not the dog is upon or away from his premises. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any dog to fail to keep the animal under effective restraint. ... (b)Direct point chaining, or tethering of dogs to a stationary obje...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, the dangerous animal rules in Chapter 4, Article II turn on conduct, not breed. The municipal court declares an animal potentially dangerous or vicious after a hearing, and the owner then faces registration, a $25 fee, confinement, and a possible $100,000 liability policy.
Dangerous Dog Rules in Decatur, Alabama
Significant RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 4-16
Potentially dangerous animal means: (1)Any animal which, when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the animal are off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal.(2)Any animal which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing a les...
Cat Rules
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, a cat found running at large off its owner's premises can be captured by the poundmaster if it is strayed, abandoned, injured, rabid, or a nuisance to people or other animals. Sec. 4-1 sets a shelter hold of at least 48 hours and no more than one calendar week, plus boarding and redemption fees.
Cat Rules in Decatur, Alabama
Some RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 4-1
(a)There is hereby established at its present location an animal shelter which shall be in the charge of a poundmaster, whose duty shall be to capture and place in such animal shelter any dog or puppy found running at large in violation of the provisions of sections 4-2 and 4-4 of this chapter, and any cat or kitten found running at large off the premises or property of the owner or person in c...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, every dog and cat adopted from the animal shelter must be surgically altered before it goes home with the adopter (Sec. 4-40(c)). An owner who redeems an unaltered impounded animal pays a $25 fee and gets 45 days to prove the surgery.
Spay and Neuter Rules in Decatur, Alabama
Light RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 4-40(c)
(c)All dogs and cats which are adopted through the animal shelter shall be surgically altered to prevent reproduction of that animal, before the animal can go home with its adopter. The fee for spaying or neutering animals will be collected according to the fee schedule set by the director or shelter manager. This fee is in addition to the established adoption fee and any rabies vaccination fee...