Animal Ordinances in Mesa, AZ (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Mesa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Mesa regulates livestock on residential property through a point system in Title 6, Chapter 5. Fowl are limited to 10 per half acre, and larger animals use a points-per-acre formula where horses count as 1 point and smaller animals as 0.5 points.
Mesa Chickens and Livestock Point System
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Mesa requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required per ARS §11-1001 et seq.
Mesa Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Arizona has no statewide breed ban preemption. Some cities have breed-specific legislation. Phoenix has no breed restrictions. Check Mesa local ordinance.
Mesa Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Mesa does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance beyond general animal and nuisance regulations. Beekeeping is generally permitted on residential property provided hives do not create a public nuisance under Title 6.
Mesa Beekeeping Regulations
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Mesa regulates exotic and wild animals through Title 6 and defers to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) for wildlife permits. Keeping dangerous wild animals in residential areas is restricted.
Mesa Exotic Pet Ownership Rules
Some RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Mesa discourages feeding wildlife under nuisance and public health provisions. Intentional feeding of javelina, coyotes, and other urban wildlife can lead to code compliance action under the city's nuisance ordinances.
Mesa Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Animal hoarding in Mesa addressed through keeping limits and Mesa Animal Control. ARS 13-2910 for cruelty.
Mesa Animal Hoarding Rules
Some RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2910 (Cruelty to Animals)
A person commits cruelty to animals if the person does any of the following: 1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment. 2. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fails to provide medical attention necessary to prevent protracted suffering to any animal under the person's custody or control. 3. Intentionall...
Pet Limits
Mesa's residential zoning typically limits households to a small number of dogs and cats before triggering kennel classification under Title 11 zoning. Exceeding the limit requires a commercial kennel use permit in non-residential zones and may trigger code-enforcement complaints in residential ones.
Mesa Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Mesa does not require cat licensing under Title 5, unlike dogs which need Maricopa County licenses. Cats are not restricted to leashes outdoors but owners remain responsible for nuisance behavior, property damage, and public-health risks under Mesa City Code Title 5.
Mesa Cat Licensing and Outdoor Rules
Few RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Mesa does not mandate spay or neuter for owned dogs or cats. Maricopa County provides a substantial discount on dog licenses for sterilized animals, creating a strong financial incentive without an outright requirement under Mesa City Code Title 5.
Mesa Mandatory Spay/Neuter Status
Few RestrictionsMicrochipping
Mesa does not require pet microchipping under Title 5, but Maricopa County strongly recommends it and shelters routinely chip impounded animals before adoption. Microchipping helps recover lost pets faster than license tags alone, especially during Phoenix-metro monsoons.
Mesa Pet Microchipping Rules
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Coyotes are common throughout Mesa's desert-edge neighborhoods. Arizona Game and Fish manages the species under ARS Title 17, prohibits hazing harassment beyond legal scare techniques, and forbids residents from feeding wildlife. Mesa enforces feeding bans through Title 5 nuisance provisions.
Mesa Coyote and Urban Wildlife Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Mesa pet stores selling dogs and cats must source animals from shelters, rescues, or qualified breeders under state ARS Title 44 disclosure rules. Arizona preempts certain local pet-shop bans, but Mesa retains zoning and consumer-disclosure authority for retail pet operations.
Mesa Pet Store Source Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesa city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Maricopa County →