Animal Ordinances in Peoria, AZ (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Peoria, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Peoria regulates backyard livestock and poultry through Chapter 16's animal code rather than a stand-alone chicken ordinance. Swine are banned within the City outright under Sec. 16-9(c) unless the property is zoned for agriculture, and other livestock mammals face a numeric setback and headcount cap under Sec. 16-9(d); poultry falls under the general nuisance and sanitation rule instead.
Peoria AZ Backyard Livestock and Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-9(c), (d)
(c) Except in areas zoned for agriculture, no swine shall be kept within the City limits. Swine must be kept at least one thousand (1,000) feet away from any adjoining residence. (d) Mammals, excepting dogs and cats confined or kept in an enclosure of less than five hundred (500) square feet shall be forty (40) feet or more from any adjoining residence. No more than two (2) mammals, excepti...
Dog Leash Laws
Peoria dogs may never run at large: City Code Sec. 16-34 requires every dog to stay inside a fenced enclosure on the owner's property or on a leash no longer than six feet when off it. The same six-foot cap governs city parks under Sec. 7-66(a)(14), with an exception only inside posted dog-friendly off-leash areas.
Peoria AZ Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-34(a), (e)
(a) No dog shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's or custodian's property, secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's or custodian's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's or custodian's control when not on the owner's or custodian's property. ... (e) No person in charge of ...
Breed Restrictions
Peoria has no breed list: vicious-animal status turns entirely on behavior. Section 16-1 defines a vicious animal as any carnivore that has a propensity to attack, and Secs. 16-15 and 16-16 lay out the court petition and hearing process a justice of the peace or the municipal court uses to declare an animal vicious and order restrictions on it.
Peoria AZ Dangerous Animal Declaration Law
Significant RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-15(a); Sec. 16-16(a)
(a) Any person having reasonable belief that an animal is vicious may petition a justice of the peace or the municipal court for a determination that the animal is vicious. ... (a) Upon determining an animal to be vicious, the justice of the peace or municipal court shall enter such orders as it deems necessary to protect the public. ... The justice of the peace or municipal court may order...
Exotic Pets
Keeping an exotic or dangerous animal in Peoria is a registration requirement, not an outright ban: Sec. 16-9(a) makes it unlawful to keep any poisonous, dangerous or carnivorous wild animal or reptile without first registering it with the City, and the registration list is a public record open to disclosure.
Peoria AZ Exotic and Dangerous Wild Animal Rule
Significant RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-9(a)
(a) It is unlawful to keep any poisonous, dangerous or carnivorous wild animals or reptiles without first having registered such animal with the City. The City Manager or his designee may issue guidelines for the registration and safe keeping of such animals. The registration list, owners name and address and type of animal shall be deemed to be a public record subject to disclosure. Registra...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wildlife in a Peoria park, along with touching, chasing, or otherwise harassing any animal, reptile, or bird, is banned outright under City Code Section 7-66(a)(12) unless the Community Services Department authorizes it first. The one carve-out: poisonous, deadly snakes killed on sight are exempt from the prohibition.
Peoria Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPeoria City Code § 7-66(a)(12)
Feed, touch, hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird, without authorization from the Director of the Community Services Department or designated representative.
Pet Limits
Peoria limits dogs/cats to a combined total typically allowed in residential zones and treats hoarding under AZ §13-2910 animal cruelty. Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) investigates hoarding complaints in Peoria.
animals/animal-hoarding
Heavy RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2910 (Cruelty to animals; cruel neglect and abandonment)
A. 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. Intention...
Cat Rules
Peoria treats cats differently from dogs: City Code Sec. 16-41(a) exempts cats outright from the citywide animals-at-large ban that covers every other animal, bird and rodent. A cat, including a feral cat under the Sec. 16-1 definition, may roam without a leash or enclosure, though it remains subject to Chapter 16's general nuisance and sanitation rules.
Peoria Cat Rules: At-Large and Impoundment
Light RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-41
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow, suffer or permit any animal, bird or rodent to be at large at any place in the City at any time, excluding cats. (b) The owner of every animal, bird or rodent or person having control over an animal, bird or rodent shall at all times control such animal, bird or rodent in such a manner that it is not at large at any place in the City.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Peoria does not require every pet to be sterilized, but it does require it before a stray dog or cat leaves the pound with a new owner. Section 16-31(c) conditions any pound sale on the animal already being spayed or neutered, or on the buyer signing a sterilization agreement and posting a deposit with the pound.
Peoria AZ Mandatory Spay-Neuter for Pound Animals
Some RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 16-31(c)
(c) Prior to release of a stray dog or cat from the pound for purchase by any person: (1) The dog or cat shall be surgically spayed or neutered; or (2) The purchasing party shall sign an agreement with the pound to have the dog or cat spayed or neutered within thirty days after purchase or before the dog or cat is sexually mature and deposit with the pound the amount determined by the pou...
Pet Groomer Rules
Peoria zones pet grooming as part of a "Pet Shop" use under City Code Sec. 21-505(B)(2). Grooming has to stay inside an enclosed, soundproofed building during regular business hours, and the shop cannot run outdoor exercise pens or overnight boarding beyond a strict cap.
Peoria AZ Pet Grooming Shop Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPeoria City Code § 21-505(B)(2)
2. Pet Shops, as described in Section 21-200 , shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the land use regulations within Section 21-500 and the following standards: a. Veterinarian and grooming services shall be restricted to the care and treatment of small animals, and occur only during regular business hours. b. The commercial breeding of animals shall be prohibited....
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary clinic in Peoria is a distinct Animal Related Use under the Zoning Ordinance, regulated more tightly than a pet shop or kennel: Sec. 21-505(B)(3) limits a clinic to medical care of small animals, bans outdoor runs and pet boarding or breeding, and requires the building to sit at least 100 feet from any street, residential district, restaurant, hotel or motel.
Peoria AZ Veterinary Clinic Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsPeoria City Code Sec. 21-505(B)(3)
3. Veterinary Services, as described in Section 21-200, shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the land use regulations within Section 21-500 and the following standards: a. Activities shall be restricted to the medical care and treatment of small animals during regular office hours. The confinement of such animals on the premises shall be limited to essential and occa...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Peoria city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Maricopa County →