Animal Ordinances in Islip, NY (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Islip, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Islip allows residents to keep poultry such as chickens if it does not create a nuisance or health hazard, capping density at 15 birds per 500 square feet of rear-yard enclosure with 10-foot setbacks, while equine livestock requires a Town permit per head.
Backyard Poultry Allowed With Limits; Equine Needs Permit
Some RestrictionsTown of Islip Code Chapter 12, Article IV (Equine Livestock, Pigeons and Poultry)
Any person may keep, maintain or house poultry, provided that such poultry does not constitute a nuisance or create a hazard to public health. No more than 15 birds defined as poultry may be kept or maintained for every 500 square feet of rear yard space being used for the keeping of poultry.
Dog Leash Laws
Islip Town Code Chapter 15 requires dogs to be leashed (maximum 6 feet) on all public property including streets, parks, and beaches except in designated off-leash areas. Suffolk County Dog Control enforces alongside Town. Violations start at 50 dollars and escalate.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Islip has no breed-specific dog ban, and it could not adopt one: New York's Agriculture and Markets Law bars any municipal dangerous-dog program from regulating dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed.
No Breed Bans Allowed; State Law Preempts BSL
Few RestrictionsNY Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 107(5) (Identification and control of dogs), Article 7
Nothing contained in this article shall prevent a municipality from adopting its own program for the control of dangerous dogs; provided, however, that no such program shall be less stringent than this article, and no such program shall regulate such dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is permitted in Islip on properties of at least 10,000 square feet with hives set back 25 feet from property lines. Registration with NY Department of Agriculture and Markets Apiary Program is required annually. Up to 4 hives allowed on standard residential lots.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Islip prohibits wild and exotic animals as pets including large cats, primates, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians per Town Code Chapter 15 and NY Environmental Conservation Law 11-0512. Suffolk County also bans ferrets in some contexts. Domestic pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and most birds are permitted.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Feeding deer is prohibited statewide under 6 NYCRR 189. Islip discourages feeding of waterfowl, raccoons, and feral cats under public nuisance provisions of Town Code. Great South Bay waterfowl feeding creates public health and overpopulation concerns.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
No Islip-specific ordinance sets a fixed maximum number of household dogs or cats; instead New York's state dog-licensing law applies, and keeping enough dogs to operate a kennel triggers separate Town zoning and licensing requirements.
No Numeric Pet Cap; State Licensing Applies
Few RestrictionsNY Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 109(1) (Dog licenses), Article 7
The owner of any dog reaching the age of four months shall immediately make application for a dog license. No license shall be issued unless the application is accompanied by a certificate of rabies vaccination or statement in lieu thereof, except that a license may be issued where a licensed veterinarian has certified that vaccination would endanger the dog's life.
Looking for Suffolk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Islip city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Suffolk County →