Animal Ordinances in Fairfax, VA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Fairfax, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Backyard chickens are not permitted as a by-right accessory use in most residential zones of the City of Fairfax. Keeping poultry generally requires a special use permit, and roosters are prohibited throughout the city as a nuisance source regardless of any permit granted.
Animals: Chickens Poultry
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Dogs in the City of Fairfax must be on a leash or under direct physical control whenever off their owner property, per Chapter 14 of the City Code and the broader state running-at-large statute at Virginia Code 3.2-6538. Off-leash behavior is allowed only in designated dog parks.
Animals: Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6538
§ 3.2-6538. Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty. Any locality may by ordinance prohibit the running at large of all or any category of dogs, except dogs used for hunting, in all or any designated portion of such locality during such months as it may designate. Any such locality may also require that dogs be confined, restricted, or penned up du...
Breed Restrictions
The City of Fairfax does not restrict any specific breed of dog. Virginia Code 3.2-6540.1 preempts breed-specific local legislation statewide, so pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other commonly targeted breeds are legal to own in the city subject to the same rules as any other dog.
Animals: Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6540.1
§ 3.2-6540.1. Vicious dogs; penalties. A. As used in this section: "Serious injury" means an injury having a reasonable potential to cause death or any injury other than a sprain or strain, including serious disfigurement, serious impairment of health, or serious impairment of bodily function and requiring significant medical attention. "Vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that ...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is allowed in the City of Fairfax subject to state registration with the Virginia State Apiarist and zoning setbacks in the local code. Hives typically must be set back 10 to 25 feet from property lines, screened by a flyway barrier, and kept with a water source on-site.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-4400
§ 3.2-4400. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Apiary" means any place where one or more colonies of bees are kept. "Appliance" means any apparatus, tool, machine, or other device used in the handling and manipulating of bees, honey, wax, hives, and hive parts and shall include containers used in transporting, processing, storing, or merch...
Wildlife Feeding
Wildlife in the City of Fairfax is managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources under state law. Feeding deer is prohibited under 4VAC15-40-285, and trapping or relocating nuisance wildlife generally requires a state permit or a licensed commercial wildlife control operator.
Animals: Wildlife
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and horses are generally prohibited in residential zones of the City of Fairfax. The zoning ordinance treats livestock as an agricultural use requiring a rural or agricultural district, and none of the city standard residential zones meet that test.
Animals: Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Fairfax County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fairfax city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fairfax County →