Animal Ordinances in Meridian, ID (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Meridian, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Meridian lets residents keep chickens and other livestock citywide, but requires stock-tight fencing, weekly manure removal, and quiet animals under City Code section 6-2-7.
Meridian Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Light RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-2-7
A. Stable refuse care. It shall be unlawful to allow stable refuse to accumulate in such a manner that it becomes unsightly and/or offensive to the smell. It is hereby required that such refuse be removed from the legal sanitary limits of the city at least once each week. B. Undue noises. It shall be unlawful to harbor or allow to remain within the corporate limits of the city any livestock whi...
Dog Leash Laws
Meridian requires dogs in any public place to be controlled by a leash no longer than six feet, with escalating fines for repeat violations.
Meridian Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-2-8.D
Except as otherwise allowed by law, it shall be unlawful for any dog owner to allow or cause any dog owned by such person to be or remain in any public place, unless such dog is controlled by a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length. A person's first violation of this subsection shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00). A person's second violation...
Breed Restrictions
Meridian does not ban dog breeds; instead animal control officers designate individual dogs as "dangerous" or "at-risk" based on bites or attacks under City Code § 6-2-6, triggering registration, muzzling, insurance, and secure-enclosure requirements.
Meridian's Dangerous Dog Designation, Not Breed Bans
Significant RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-2-6
Dangerous and at-risk dogs found within the boundaries of the City of Meridian present a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of persons and other animals. The purpose of this section is to provide policies and procedures for the safe management of dangerous and at-risk dogs to promote the public health, safety, and welfare, while also promoting the humane and ethical treatment of animals. ...
Pet Limits
Meridian bans owning, keeping, or harboring more than three dogs at a single residence or property, with a narrow exception for a nursing litter of puppies under six months.
Meridian Caps Dogs At Three Per Home
Some RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-2-8(N)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own; keep, harbor, possess, accept, or maintain custody, control, or care of; or license more than three (3) dogs at any single residence, property, or premises. ... A violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) and ninety (90) days' jail.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Meridian has no general spay or neuter law; the mandate applies only to dogs the city has formally designated dangerous under its dangerous-dog ordinance.
Meridian: Spay/Neuter Required for Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-2-6(D)(8)
D. Keeping dangerous dogs. The owner of a dog designated as dangerous ... shall comply with the following restrictions for the keeping of such dog within the boundaries of the City of Meridian: ... 8. The owner shall spay or neuter the dog.
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Meridian city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Ada County →