Animal Ordinances in Dothan, AL (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Dothan, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Backyard chickens are not automatically legal on a Dothan house lot. City Code § 114-131.1 lists 'Poultry (As Accessory Use)' as a special exception in R-1, R-2, R-3 and MH-2, requires board of zoning adjustment approval, and its footnote 3 sets a flat half-acre minimum lot size regardless of the zoning district.
Dothan Backyard Poultry Rules by Zone
Significant RestrictionsDothan City Code § 114-131.1
AC R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-A MH-1 MH-2 B-1 B-2 B-3 O-I O-2 O-3 L-I H-I ... Poultry (As Accessory Use) P S 3 S 3 S 3 S 3 ... 3 A minimum lot size of ½ acre is required regardless of zoning district.
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Dothan a dog owner must keep the dog under restraint at all times, and it is unlawful to let a dog run at large off the owner's property, on another's property without permission, or on public streets and rights-of-way unless it is on a leash.
Dothan Dog Restraint and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsDothan City Code § 10-16
(a)Restraint required. A dog owner shall keep his or her dog under restraint at all times.(b)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow such dog to be at large (off the owner's property), upon the property of another without the property owner's permission, or upon the public streets or rights-of-way unless under the restraint of a leash.
Beekeeping
Keeping bees in the City of Dothan requires a special exception from the board of zoning adjustment in every residential district except unplatted Agricultural-Conservation land. City Code § 114-131.1's Table of Permitted Accessory and Agricultural Uses marks 'Aviary/Apiary' as a special exception in R-1 through MH-2, a discretionary hearing rather than an automatic approval.
Dothan Apiaries Need a Zoning Exception
Significant RestrictionsDothan City Code § 114-131.1
AC R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-A MH-1 MH-2 B-1 B-2 B-3 O-I O-2 O-3 L-I H-I ... Aviary/Apiary P 2 S S S S S S S ... 2 Permitted on appeal to BZA in a platted residential subdivision.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Dothan there is no general law forcing every dog or cat owner to spay or neuter a pet; the requirement only applies to animals adopted from the city shelter, where a $85 dog or $55 cat adoption fee covers the procedure before release, and rescue-transported animals are exempt.
Dothan Shelter Spay/Neuter Requirement
Few RestrictionsDothan City Code § 10-25(b), (d)
(b)The following adoption fee will be assessed at the time of the adoption: dogs $85.00 and cats $55.00. The adoption fee covers the cost of having the animal spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, parvo vaccine/feline distemper and heartworm tested. The adoption fee shall be paid in advance and no animal shall be released for adoption as a pet until these procedures are completed. ... (d)Animals tran...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Dothan's zoning code splits animal medical uses into a veterinarian, which offers outpatient care only, and an animal hospital, where boarding during treatment is allowed. The Table of Permitted Uses lists Animal Hospital/Veterinarian as by-right in A-C and L-I districts and in B-1, B-2, B-3 and O-I with a special exception required if non-medical boarding is included.
Dothan Zoning for Vet Clinics & Hospitals
Some RestrictionsDothan City Code §§ 114-26, 114-131.7
Animal hospital. ... An enterprise for the care and treatment of the diseases and injuries of animals, and where animals may be boarded during their treatment and convalescence. (Also see definition of veterinarian.) ... Veterinarian. An enterprise for the outpatient care and treatment of the diseases and injuries of animals. Boarding of animals is not permitted at a veterinarian. (Also see def...