Animal Ordinances in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Las Cruces, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Las Cruces allows backyard poultry and small livestock with a special animal permit: lots under half an acre may keep up to six total small livestock animals, including chickens and ducks.
Las Cruces Backyard Chickens & Livestock
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-32B (Ord. No. 3091, 4-7-25)
The following requirements are established for the keeping of small livestock animals such as, but not limited to, ducks, poultry, goats, sheep... For lots less than one-half acre, a total combined maximum of six such animals
Dog Leash Laws
Las Cruces requires dogs under humane physical restraint at all times off the owner's property, with a leash no longer than eight feet. Off-leash is allowed only in designated city dog parks.
Las Cruces Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-13 (Ord. No. 3091, 4-7-25)
A person owning or having the guardianship, care, custody, or care over an animal shall keep the animal under humane physical restraint at all times excluding community cats and dogs using the off-leash areas of city dog parks.
Breed Restrictions
Las Cruces has no breed ban. Dangerous-dog rules are behavior-based: a municipal judge may declare a dog dangerous or potentially dangerous after it injures or menaces a person or animal.
Las Cruces Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-2, 7-33 (Ord. No. 3091, 4-7-25)
Dangerous dog. A dog that has caused a serious injury or death to a person or domestic animal.
Beekeeping
New Mexico treats beekeeping as agriculture, not livestock. Hobby hives need no city permit in Las Cruces, but apiaries are registered with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
Las Cruces Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Las Cruces bans keeping wild and exotic animals that are dangerous by nature, including big cats, bears, wolves and hybrids, primates, venomous snakes, and alligators. Domestic ferrets are allowed.
Las Cruces Exotic & Wild Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-34 (Ord. No. 3091, 4-7-25)
A person shall not possess, harbor, or keep any wildlife, wild or exotic animal of a species that in its natural life is potentially dangerous.
Wildlife Feeding
Las Cruces prohibits feeding animals running at large, so leaving food out for stray or free-roaming animals is barred. Feeding wild game like deer or coyotes is governed by state wildlife law.
Las Cruces Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-13 (Ord. No. 3091, 4-7-25)
A person shall not feed an animal running at large, with the exception of community cats or to aid in humanely trapping the animal.