Animal Ordinances in New York, NY (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
New York City lets residents keep female chickens (hens) with no permit and no limit on the flock, but Health Code §161.19 flatly bars roosters, ducks, geese, and turkeys, and §161.01 prohibits livestock such as pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle.
NYC Backyard Hens Allowed, Roosters and Livestock Banned
Some RestrictionsNYC Health Code (24 RCNY) §161.19(a); see also §161.01(15)
§161.19 Keeping of livestock, live poultry and rabbits. (a) No person shall keep a live rooster, duck, goose or turkey in the City of New York except (1) in a slaughterhouse authorized by federal or state law that is subject to inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or the United States Department of Agriculture, or (2) as authorized by §161.01 (a) of this Articl...
Breed Restrictions
New York City does not restrict dogs by breed. Administrative Code § 17-342 defines a "dangerous dog" purely by conduct, and the old Health Code rule aimed at pit bulls was repealed and replaced by this breed-neutral standard.
NYC Has No Breed-Specific Dog Ban
Few RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-342
"Dangerous dog" means (1) any dog that when unprovoked, approaches, or menaces any person in a dangerous or terrorizing manner, or in an apparent attitude of attack, upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds or places; or (2) any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domesti...
Wildlife Feeding
New York City has no law that bans feeding pigeons. In city parks from Central Park to Prospect Park, NYC Parks Rule 56 RCNY §1-04(g)(2) prohibits feeding animals except unconfined squirrels and birds, and pigeons are birds, so feeding them is allowed unless an area is specifically posted "no feeding." Feeding other wildlife in a park, or feeding anywhere the Parks Commissioner has posted a no-feeding area, is a violation carrying a civil penalty of up to $200.
New York City Pigeon & Wildlife Feeding Rules
Light Restrictions56 RCNY § 1-04(g)(2) (Prohibited Uses — Abuse of park animals)
No person shall feed animals in any park (including any zoo area) except unconfined squirrels and birds, and where specifically authorized by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may also designate certain areas where all feeding of animals is prohibited. It shall be a violation of these rules to feed animals in any area where such feeding is prohibited.
Cat Rules
New York City requires owners to sterilize any cat allowed to roam outside the home, but the Health Department cannot seize a cat solely for being unsterilized. Violations carry a $500 civil penalty.
New York City Roaming Cat Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-804(d)
Every owner of a cat who permits such cat to roam outside the interior of the owner's dwelling shall have such cat sterilized. At the request of employees or authorized agents of the department, owners shall provide proof satisfactory to the department that a cat found roaming has been sterilized. The Department shall not seize a cat solely on the ground that the cat has not been sterilized.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
New York City requires every cat owner to have their cat sterilized if the cat is ever allowed to roam outside the home, with the Health Department authorized to demand proof on request.
NYC Outdoor Cats Must Be Spayed or Neutered
Some RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-804(d)
Every owner of a cat who permits such cat to roam outside the interior of the owner's dwelling shall have such cat sterilized. At the request of employees or authorized agents of the department, owners shall provide proof satisfactory to the department that a cat found roaming has been sterilized. The Department shall not seize a cat solely on the ground that the cat has not been sterilized.
Microchipping
New York City pet shops and animal rescue groups can't release a dog or cat to a buyer or adopter unless it's already implanted with a microchip and the chip is registered to the new owner.
NYC Pet Shop Dog & Cat Microchipping
Some RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-815
No pet shop or animal rescue group shall release a dog or cat to a purchaser or adopter unless: (1) such animal has been implanted with a microchip as a permanent identification; (2) such pet shop or animal rescue group has registered such animal's microchip with such purchaser's contact information with a bona fide pet microchip registration company
Pet Store Rules
New York City pet shops cannot sell, display for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away or transfer any dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig under Administrative Code § 17-1702(b). Stores may still host shelter or rescue adoption events on their premises. Violators face a $500-per-day civil penalty for every animal offered illegally, plus seizure and forfeiture.
NYC Pet Shops Cannot Sell Dogs or Cats
Heavy RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-1702
Animals shall not be sold or held for sale in a dwelling in which a person lives or at any other location that is not licensed therefor. It shall be unlawful for any pet shop to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell any dog, cat, rabbit, or guinea pig. A pet shop that allows an animal shelter or animal rescue group to use such pet shop's premises for th...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
New York City's Zoning Resolution allows veterinary and pet care establishments as-of-right in C1, C2 and C4 through C7 commercial districts, but Section 32-163 bars overnight boarding or accommodations there. Clinics inside a building with residential units cannot share an entrance with the residential portion, and in C8 districts a vet practice must meet M1 industrial performance standards.
NYC Vet Clinics: No Overnight Boarding in C1-C7
Some RestrictionsNew York City Zoning Resolution § 32-163
(a) Service Limitations (3) Veterinary service or pet care service establishments in C1 or C2 Districts, or C4 through C7 Districts, shall not include overnight boarding or accommodations. (b) Location and Other Building Requirements (2) For veterinary services in C1 or C2 Districts, or C4 through C7 Districts, where such building contains a residential use, no access shall be from an entrance ...
Bird Protection
New York City bans taking or possessing any wild bird, including pigeons, under Administrative Code § 17-200. Violators face a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 in fines, up to a year in jail, or both, for every bird taken or held. Only park and law-enforcement staff, DEC or Health Department permit holders, and injured-bird rescuers are exempt.
NYC Bans Taking or Possessing Wild Birds
Heavy RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 17-200
No person other than an exempt person may take or attempt to take, or possess or attempt to possess, any wild bird. Provided, however, that this subdivision shall not apply to the persons and entities specified in subdivision d of this section. ... Any person convicted of any prohibited act set forth in subdivision b of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no more th...