Animal Ordinances in Herndon, VA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Herndon, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Herndon generally prohibits backyard chickens and other livestock in residential zones due to the Towns suburban lot sizes and zoning classifications. Roosters are banned and hens are not permitted as of-right in standard residential districts.
Animals: Chickens Backyard
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
All dogs in Herndon must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owners property. Off-leash dogs are prohibited except in designated dog parks, with fines for violations and impoundment possible.
Animals: Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsVa. Code § 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 during such periods. For the purpose of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at large while roam...
Breed Restrictions
Herndon follows Virginia dangerous dog law (VA Code 3.2-6540.1 et seq.), which uses behavior-based classification rather than breed. There is no breed-specific ban; pit bulls and other breeds are legal, subject to dangerous dog determinations.
Animals: Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6540.1 — Vicious dogs; penalties
"Vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has (i) killed a person, (ii) inflicted serious injury to a person, or (iii) continued to exhibit the behavior that resulted in a previous finding by a court or, on or before July 1, 2006, by an animal control officer as authorized by ordinance that it is a dangerous dog, provided that its owner has been given notice of that finding. B. Any...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is permitted in Herndon residential properties subject to state apiary registration and reasonable setback and hive placement to protect neighbors. Herndon follows Virginia State Apiarist standards under VA Code 3.2-4400 et seq.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-4400 — Beekeeping; 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 merchandising bees and bee produc...
Wildlife Feeding
Herndon prohibits feeding deer and other wildlife and restricts homeowners from trapping or relocating animals without proper permits. Nuisance wildlife must be handled through licensed Virginia wildlife control operators or Virginia DWR.
Animals: Wildlife
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Herndon generally allows up to four dogs and a reasonable number of cats per residential property without a kennel license. Keeping more may require a kennel permit or may be prohibited by zoning and HOA rules.
Animals: Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fairfax County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Herndon city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fairfax County →