Animal Ordinances in Lynchburg, VA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Lynchburg, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Outside the R-C district, Lynchburg's Exhibit VII-1 standards cap backyard hens at four on lots up to 15,000 square feet, adding one more per extra 5,000 square feet up to a 40-fowl ceiling, require 20 feet from the property line, and push that to 100 feet from the nearest house once more than four hens are kept.
Lynchburg Backyard Chickens and Farm Animal Limits
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code § 35.2-71.7, Exhibit VII-1
Sec. 35.2-71.7. - Farm animals. (a)The raising of farm animals in the R-C district shall comply with the R-C district provisions; the raising of farm animals in any other district shall comply with the provisions of Exhibit VII-1: ... All farm animals Commercial Production Any production of eggs, milk, meat or other farm animal products for sale is prohibited on lots smaller than 10 acres. Poul...
Dog Leash Laws
Lynchburg bans dogs from running at large citywide, even if licensed and vaccinated, and any police officer must seize and impound a loose dog on sight, with owners facing a Class 4 misdemeanor and a civil penalty of up to $100 per dog for pack running.
Lynchburg Dogs Running at Large Ban
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code Sec. 7-36
Sec. 7-36. - Owners prohibited from allowing dog to run at large.(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow such dog to run at large within the city even though the dog be both lawfully licensed and vaccinated.(b)It shall be the duty of any police officer to seize and impound any and every dog found running at large in violation of this section.
Breed Restrictions
Lynchburg does not ban any dog breed outright, but it singles out wolf and coyote hybrid canines for special regulation: an annual $50 permit, a two-animal cap for private owners, permanent ID, secure enclosure, and a leash-and-muzzle requirement off the owner's property.
Lynchburg Hybrid Canine Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsLynchburg City Code Sec. 7-35.2
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or possess a hybrid canine four months or older in the city unless the hybrid canine is licensed as required by the provisions of this section.(1)Any person owning or possessing a hybrid canine four months or older in the city shall obtain an annual permit from the animal warden no later than January 31 of each year...The cost of the permit shall be $5...
Cat Rules
Lynchburg does not license cats or restrict them from roaming at large the way it does dogs, but a cat that is destructive or a public nuisance, including excessive yowling, can be ordered confined or removed by the General District Court, and rabies vaccination is mandatory at four months old.
Lynchburg Cat Ownership Rules
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code Sec. 7-35
Any person owning or having in his possession or under his control a dog or cat suspected of being a destructive dog or cat, or a public nuisance, shall be summoned before the general district court for the city to show cause why such dog or cat should not be confined or removed beyond the limits of the city, and upon proof that such animal is destructive or a public nuisance, such animal shall...
Pet Store Rules
Lynchburg does not ban pet shops from selling dogs and cats, but every pet shop and companion-animal dealer has needed an annual $50 permit from the animal warden since January 1, 2002, with unannounced inspections and suspension or revocation for fraud or inhumane treatment.
Lynchburg Pet Shop Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsLynchburg City Code Sec. 7-110
Beginning January 1, 2002, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a pet shop or act as a dealer in companion animals in the city who does not possess a valid permit issued by the animal warden. Only a person who complies with the requirements of this article shall be entitled to receive or retain such permit. The fee for a permit shall not be prorated, and the permit shall not be transf...
Pet Groomer Rules
Lynchburg requires every grooming table, bathing tub and grooming tool used on animals to be kept clean and sanitized between animals under City Code Sec. 7-124, and folds standalone groomers into the citywide animal-care duty in Sec. 7-7.1(a), which names "groomer" among the businesses bound by it. Breaking that care duty is a class 4 misdemeanor.
Pet Grooming Facility Rules in Lynchburg
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code §§ 7-124, 7-7.1(a), (c)
Sec. 7-7.1. - Care of animals by owner; penalty. (a)Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:(1)Adequate feed;(2)Adequate water;(3)Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned;(4)Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;(5)Adequate exercise;(6)Adequate care, treatment, and transportation; and(7)Vet...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Lynchburg zones veterinary hospitals as a conditional use, not a permitted use, inside the B-3 Community Business District. City Code Section 35.2-46.3(f) says a vet hospital approved through that permit process cannot keep outdoor kennels. The same use is permitted by right just one district over, in B-4 and B-5.
Lynchburg B-3 Zone Requires Vet Hospital CUP
Significant RestrictionsLynchburg City Code § 35.2-46.3(f)
Veterinarian hospitals authorized through the conditional use permit process shall not have outdoor kennels.
Bird Protection
Lynchburg makes it unlawful to kill any sparrow, martin, wren or other bird within the city, though the ban does not cover English sparrows, starlings or pigeons, and any control of those excluded species must still follow Virginia state guidelines.
Lynchburg Wild Bird Killing Ban
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code Sec. 7-11
It shall be unlawful for any person to kill any sparrow, martin, wren or other bird within the city. But this section shall not apply to English sparrows, starlings or to pigeons; provided, however, that all killing or other control of such birds shall be done in accordance with all guidelines, rules, regulations and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.