Animal Ordinances in New York, NY (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Section 161.05 of the New York City Health Code requires every dog in any public place, or in any open or unfenced area abutting a public place, to be effectively restrained by a leash or other restraint not more than 6 feet long. Off-leash use is allowed only in designated dog runs and during NYC Parks' courtesy off-leash hours (generally park opening to 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to park closing) where posted. Enforcement is shared by DOHMH, NYC Parks, NYPD, and DSNY.
NYC Six-Foot Leash Law Under Health Code §161.05
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
NYC Health Code §161.01 prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals as pets, including all non-domesticated mammals, reptiles over certain sizes, and venomous animals. The ban covers ferrets, which are specifically prohibited under §161.01(b)(10). Violations carry fines and animal seizure.
New York City Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
NYC Health Code §161.09(d) prohibits feeding pigeons, and NYC Parks Rules §1-04(q) prohibit feeding wildlife in parks (except squirrels and birds at designated areas). Admin Code §17-195 specifically bans pigeon feeding citywide with fines up to $1,000.
New York City Wildlife Feeding Regulations
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
New York City has no numeric pet cap, but Health Code Title 24 §161 lets DOHMH abate filthy or dangerous animal-keeping. Severe hoarding is prosecuted as cruelty under New York Agriculture and Markets Law §353, with seizure and misdemeanor or felony charges.
Hoarding investigated under Health Code and state cruelty law
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
New York City sets no specific cap on the number of pets per dwelling. Crowding, odor, or unsanitary conditions are enforced under NYC Health Code Title 24 §161, and severe cases can escalate to cruelty charges under New York Agriculture and Markets Law §353.
No numeric limit; nuisance and crowding enforced via Health Code
Few RestrictionsCat Rules
New York City has no cat leash law, but Health Code Title 24 §161 requires rabies vaccination for cats over four months and bans keeping animals in unsafe conditions. Outdoor cats causing nuisance, attracting rats, or roaming uncontrolled may trigger DOHMH or 311 enforcement.
Cats need rabies vaccination; no leash law but nuisance enforced
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
New York City does not require pet owners to spay or neuter dogs and cats. Sterilization is mandatory only for animals leaving city shelters under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law §377-a. DOHMH and ACC fund voluntary low-cost mobile clinics for residents.
No NYC mandate; voluntary low-cost spay and neuter clinics offered
Few RestrictionsMicrochipping
New York City does not require all dogs and cats to be microchipped, but Animal Care Centers of NYC implants a registered microchip in every animal adopted, redeemed, or transferred. Licensed dogs must wear ID, and DOHMH urges chipping to speed lost-pet reunification.
ACC microchips every adopted pet; no citywide mandate for owners
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
New York City Parks and DOHMH manage a small but growing coyote population through coexistence rather than removal. Residents are told to haze, secure trash, and never feed wildlife. NYS DEC bars relocation of healthy coyotes under Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 180.
Coexistence policy: haze coyotes, no feeding, no relocation
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
NYC Local Law 53 of 2015 and follow-on rules require any pet shop selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to obtain them from a public shelter or registered nonprofit rescue. New York State A-4283 (2022) extended a similar rule statewide, and DOHMH enforces both at the city level.
Pet stores must source dogs, cats, rabbits from shelters or rescues
Heavy RestrictionsPet Groomer Rules
New York State does not license pet groomers, but groomers operating in NYC must hold a city business tax certificate, a DCWP general business license if combined with retail, and meet DOHMH animal-care standards under Health Code §161 for any boarding or grooming-with-day-care activity.
Groomers need NYC business license; state lacks groomer license
Some RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
The NYC Zoning Resolution permits veterinary establishments in C1 through C8 commercial districts as Use Group 6 service uses. They are not allowed as-of-right in residential R-zones. Veterinarians must hold a New York State professional license under Education Law Title VIII Article 135.
Vets allowed in commercial zones; not as-of-right in residential
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
Native birds in New York City are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law §11-0535. NYC Local Law 15 of 2020 added bird-safe glass requirements to the city Building Code. Killing or disturbing protected birds or active nests is illegal.
Federal MBTA plus state ECL protect native birds; NYC bird-safe glass
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for New York County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement New York city rules.
Animal Ordinances in New York County →