Animal Ordinances in Hempstead, NY (2026)
3 verified animal ordinances for Hempstead, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Town Code § 152-8 bars letting a dog run at large off its owner's premises, treats any dog on a leash of six feet or more as "at large," and separately caps outdoor tethering at two continuous hours within any twelve-hour period, with detailed restraint-device restrictions.
Hempstead's Dogs-at-Large and Tether Law
Some RestrictionsHempstead Code § 152-8(A)
§ 152-8. Dogs at large. A. Dogs at large prohibited; restraining dogs outdoors. (1) It shall be a violation of this section for any owner to permit a dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be at large within the Town other than on the owner's premises. For purposes of this section, a dog on a leash of six feet or more shall be considered a "dog at large." (2) No person shall tether, leash, fas...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter will not release a dog or cat to a person claiming ownership of it unless the animal has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, under Town Code § 152-7.1, with narrow carve-outs for medical risk, registered show animals, and certified service or working dogs.
Hempstead's Shelter Pet Sterilization Rule
Significant RestrictionsHempstead Code § 152-7.1
§ 152-7.1. Sterilization required; exemptions. The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter shall not release a dog or cat to a person claiming ownership thereof unless such dog or cat has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian; provided, however, that such requirement shall not apply: A. If a licensed veterinarian certifies to such shelter that he or she has examined such dog or cat and found that...
Bird Protection
Along the Town's ocean-facing nearshore areas, beaches and dunes, active bird nesting and breeding sites are off-limits to disturbance. Chapter 170's Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Law lets a nesting or breeding area be disturbed only with prior written wildlife-management approval from both the Town's Commissioner of Conservation and Waterways and the New York State DEC.
Hempstead Coastal Bird Nesting Protection
Some RestrictionsHempstead Code § 170-8B(3)
Active bird nesting and breeding areas must not be disturbed unless such disturbance is pursuant to a specific wildlife management activity approved, in writing, by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and by the Town of Hempstead's Commissioner of Conservation and Waterways.
Looking for Nassau County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hempstead city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Nassau County →