Animal Ordinances in Oyster Bay, NY (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Oyster Bay, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The Town of Oyster Bay bans housing chickens, other fowl, and farm animals in residence districts outright unless the Zoning Board of Appeals grants a special use permit. Accessory coops or barns must sit at least 50 feet from every lot line even when a permit is approved.
Oyster Bay Farm Animal Keeping Rules
Significant RestrictionsOyster Bay Code § 246-5.5.16
Keeping of farm animals. No building, structure or premises shall be erected, altered or used in any residence district for the housing, feeding or harboring of pigeons, fowl, swine, goats, horses, rabbits, foxes, mink and bees, except when authorized by special use permit from the Board of Appeals. No accessory building or structure or part thereof used for the housing of such farm animals sha...
Dog Leash Laws
Oyster Bay requires every dog off its owner's premises to be on a leash no longer than six feet and under full control. A separate tethering rule caps outdoor chaining at two hours in any twelve-hour period and bans choke collars, weighted chains, and short tethers.
Oyster Bay Dog Leash and Tethering Law
Some RestrictionsOyster Bay Code § 103-2
No person, owning or otherwise having possession, custody, dominion or control of any dog, shall allow such dog, whether licensed or not, off the premises of such person without being restrained by an adequate leash, being defined herein as six feet in length or less, and under the immediate and full control of the owner or person in charge thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not b...
Breed Restrictions
Oyster Bay does not ban dog breeds; Chapter 103, Article III defines "dangerous dog" by conduct, such as biting another domestic animal or being trained to fight or attack on command. A District Court judge can order the dog permanently confined or euthanized after a five-day hearing.
Oyster Bay Dangerous Dog Declaration Process
Significant RestrictionsOyster Bay Code §§ 103-14, 103-15
DANGEROUS DOG: Any dog which attacks or bites another domestic animal, peaceably conducting itself in any place where it may lawfully be; any dog owned, harbored, or trained primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting; any dog owned, harbored, or trained primarily in part for the purpose of attacking a human being or domestic animal on command. ... If satisfied that the dog is a danger...
Beekeeping
Oyster Bay classifies bees as farm animals under its zoning code: no residence-district property may keep bees without a special use permit from the Board of Appeals, and any hive or accessory structure housing them must sit at least 50 feet from every lot line.
Oyster Bay Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsOyster Bay Code § 246-5.5.16
5.5.16 Keeping of farm animals. No building, structure or premises shall be erected, altered or used in any residence district for the housing, feeding or harboring of pigeons, fowl, swine, goats, horses, rabbits, foxes, mink and bees, except when authorized by special use permit from the Board of Appeals. No accessory building or structure or part thereof used for the housing of such farm anim...
Exotic Pets
The Town outright bans owning, harboring or selling a defined list of "dangerous animals": venomous species, large snakes and crocodilians, raptors, ratites, and non-domestic carnivores, primates, marsupials and more. Violators face fines and possible seizure, with narrow carve-outs for licensed research, teaching and veterinary facilities.
Oyster Bay Ban on Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsOyster Bay Code §§ 103-9, 103-10
DANGEROUS ANIMAL: Any of the following: ... C. The following members of the class Mammalia: order Carnivora, expressly excepting the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and the domestic cat (Felis catus), but including, but not limited to, the family Felidae, such as ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cougars; the family Capidae, such as wolves, dingos, coyotes and jackals ... order Pr...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Oyster Bay's zoning code separates veterinary clinics from overnight animal boarding: a VETERINARY OFFICE or CLINIC may treat animals medically and surgically but may not board them overnight, and the use is listed as permitted by right in the Hicksville Downtown Subdistricts use table.
Oyster Bay Veterinary Office Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsOyster Bay Code § 246-2.4 (Veterinary Office or Clinic; Animal Boarding Facility)
VETERINARY OFFICE or CLINIC: An establishment used for the medical and surgical treatment of domestic animals, excluding the overnight boarding of animals. ... ANIMAL BOARDING FACILITY: An establishment, other than an animal hospital or veterinary office or clinic principally used for the overnight boarding of animals.
Looking for Nassau County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Oyster Bay city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Nassau County →