Animal Ordinances in Madison, AL (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Madison, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Madison's code treats fowl as domestic animals allowed only in confinement, but keeping livestock requires a lot of at least three acres. There is no chicken-specific hen-limit ordinance in the codified animal chapter.
Madison AL Chickens & Livestock Keeping
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-13(a)-(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep livestock in the city limits on any lot smaller than three acres in size... unless such corral shall have a minimum area of 10,000 square feet for one such animal and 1,000 square feet for each additional animal.
Dog Leash Laws
Madison requires dogs to be kept under restraint. Any dog on a street, sidewalk, park, or other public space must be secured by a leash strong enough to restrain it. Letting a dog run at large is unlawful.
Madison AL Dog Leash & Restraint Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-11(b)
Any dog, while on a street, sidewalk, public way or in any park, public square or other public space, shall be secured by a leash of sufficient strength to restrain the particular dog.
Breed Restrictions
Madison has no breed-specific ban. Instead, City Code § 6-15 regulates any "vicious or dangerous dog" by behavior, and Alabama's Emily's Law (Ala. Code § 3-6A) governs dogs judicially declared dangerous, regardless of breed.
Madison AL Dog Breed & Dangerous Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-15(c)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any vicious or dangerous dog to allow such dog to be at large or off the owner's property unless such dog is securely muzzled... and unless such dog is secured on a leash or chain of not more than five feet in length.
Beekeeping
Madison's animal-control code sets no specific beekeeping or hive ordinance. Honeybees are regulated at the state level by the Alabama Department of Agriculture, and residential hives typically fall under nuisance rules plus your zoning district.
Beekeeping Rules in Madison, Alabama
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Madison bans keeping animals deemed inherently dangerous to humans, including bears, big cats, wolves, primates, alligators, and venomous snakes. "Exotic animals" like monkeys, foxes, skunks, and non-domestic cats are defined and restricted under City Code Chapter 6.
Exotic & Wild Animals Banned in Madison AL
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-6
The following animals have been determined by the United States Animal Health Association to be inherently dangerous to humans. It shall be unlawful for anyone to keep any of these animals in the city. The owner or keeper shall also be responsible for removing such animal at his expense.
Wildlife Feeding
Madison's code has no ordinance that specifically bans feeding wildlife such as deer or waterfowl. Feeding that attracts vermin or creates a nuisance can still be addressed under the city's sanitation and nuisance rules.
Feeding Wildlife in Madison, Alabama
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Keeping livestock inside Madison city limits requires a lot of at least three acres. Corrals need minimum square footage per animal and must sit at least 75 feet from any neighboring dwelling.
Madison AL Livestock, Corral & Stable Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-13(c)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal in any corral or stable in the city, any part of which is within 75 feet of a dwelling occupied by a person other than the person keeping such animal, or if such dwelling is not occupied, owned by a person other than the person keeping such animal.
Animal Hoarding
Madison has no ordinance using the word "hoarding," but its animal-cruelty and sanitation rules prohibit keeping animals without proper food, space, shelter, and a sanitary environment, and the kennel rules cap density before overcrowding.
Animal Hoarding & Cruelty Rules in Madison AL
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-1 (Cruelty definition); § 6-7
Cruelty means any act or omission whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death of an animal is caused or permitted, including failure to provide proper food, drink, air, space, shelter or protection from the elements, a safe and sanitary living environment, and veterinary care.
Pet Limits
Madison sets no simple cap on household pets, but any premises keeping five or more dogs or cats is treated as a "kennel" and must meet space standards and licensing. Every dog and cat over three months must be registered and licensed.
How Many Pets You Can Own in Madison AL
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-1 (Definitions)
Kennel, private, means any premises wherein five or more dogs or cats are kept and are provided a minimum of a ten-foot by 25-foot area for each animal and which is not principally operated as a commercial enterprise.
Cat Rules
Madison licenses cats over three months of age like dogs, and it is unlawful to let a cat known to habitually damage a neighbor's property run at large. Cats in heat must be confined.
Cat Rules & Licensing in Madison AL
Some RestrictionsMadison, AL Code of Ordinances § 6-11(c)-(d)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cat known to such person to habitually cause destruction or damage to the property of another to allow such cat to be at large. Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in a building or other enclosure.
Looking for Madison County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Madison County →