Animal Ordinances in Little Rock, AR (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Little Rock, Arkansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Little Rock allows limited backyard hens at single-family homes under Chapter 5, but roosters and most livestock are prohibited within city limits. Coops require setbacks from neighboring dwellings, and conditions on swine, cattle, and goats are tightly restricted.
Backyard Chickens And Livestock In Little Rock
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Little Rock requires all dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property. At home, dogs must be confined by a fence, pen, or approved trolley system. The city enforces animal at-large violations through Animal Services.
Little Rock Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Little Rock does not impose breed-specific bans. However, the city enforces dangerous animal provisions that apply to any dog that has bitten or attacked a person or another animal, regardless of breed.
Little Rock Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Little Rock permits beekeeping in residential areas with reasonable limitations. Hives should be managed responsibly with adequate setbacks from property lines and water sources provided to prevent bees from seeking water on neighboring properties.
Little Rock Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Little Rock restricts the keeping of exotic and wild animals within city limits. Venomous snakes, large predators, primates, and other dangerous wildlife are prohibited as pets. Permits may be required for certain non-domestic species.
Little Rock Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Little Rock discourages residents from feeding deer, raccoons, and other wildlife because it creates nuisance and disease risk. Chapter 5 nuisance provisions and Arkansas Game and Fish rules let officers cite homeowners whose food sources attract wildlife into neighborhoods.
Feeding Wildlife In Little Rock
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Little Rock treats animal hoarding as a cruelty offense under Chapter 5 and Arkansas Code §5-62-103. Animal Services may seize neglected animals when conditions threaten health, and owners can face misdemeanor charges plus restitution for veterinary care provided by the Animal Village.
Animal Hoarding Enforcement In Little Rock
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Little Rock Chapter 5 caps the number of dogs and cats that may be kept at a single dwelling without a kennel permit. Households exceeding the limit must apply through Planning and Animal Services, and violations may trigger nuisance citations from neighbors.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Little Rock requires cats to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed under Chapter 5. Free-roaming cats may be impounded by Little Rock Animal Village, and trap-neuter-return programs operate under coordination with Animal Services for managed feral colonies.
Cat Licensing And Roaming Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Little Rock requires animals adopted from Animal Village to be spayed or neutered, and Chapter 5 imposes higher license fees on intact pets. The city operates low-cost spay-neuter clinics with partners to reduce shelter intake across Pulaski County.
Spay Neuter Requirements For Pets
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Little Rock encourages but does not universally mandate microchipping. Animal Village microchips all adopted pets, and Chapter 5 lets registered chip data substitute for tag identification when an officer scans an impounded animal during reclaim.