Animal Ordinances in Portland, ME (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Portland, Maine, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Portland allows up to six female chickens per lot for personal, non-commercial use, no permit required since 2017. Roosters, egg sales, breeding, and slaughtering are all barred, and every chicken needs a predator-proof, sanitary enclosure kept at least 10 feet from neighboring structures.
Portland Backyard Chicken Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances §§ 5-402, 5-403 (Ch. 5, Art. IV, Rev. 10-3-11)
Sec. 5-402. Number and type of chickens allowed. (a) The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per lot regardless of how many dwelling units are on the lot. (b) Only female chickens are allowed. There is no restriction on chicken species. ... Sec. 5-403. Non-commercial use only. Chickens shall be kept as pets and for personal use only; no person shall sell eggs or engage in chicken bree...
Dog Leash Laws
Portland bans dogs at large citywide, defining that as unleashed on public streets or city property beyond an eight-foot leash. Fines escalate from $75 for a first violation to $500 for a fourth, assessed per owner regardless of which dog was loose.
Portland Dog Leash Law: 8-Foot Limit
Some RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances § 5-17 (Ch. 5, Art. II, Div. 1, Rev. 3-20-09)
(a) No dog shall be permitted to be at large within the city. Anyone whose dog, while at large and without provocation, assaults any person, animal or property shall be subject to a penalty of double the otherwise applicable penalty unless the dog owner is cited under Sec. 5-21 in which case that section shall control the applicable fine. (b) The minimum penalty for violations of this section s...
Exotic Pets
Portland outlaws traveling animal acts featuring wild or exotic species. City Code Article VI (§§ 5-506–5-509) bans any circus, exhibition, ride, or similar act that requires a wild or exotic animal to perform tricks or give rides for public entertainment inside city limits, effective since October 18, 2017.
Portland Wild & Exotic Animal Display Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances § 5-507
(a) It shall be a violation of this Article for any person, business, entity, corporation, limited liability company or other similar organization to allow for the participation of a wild and/or exotic animal in a traveling animal act in the City of Portland; (b) The penalty for violations of this Article shall be $500.00 per offense. Each and every wild and/or exotic animal exhibited and each ...
Wildlife Feeding
Portland bars feeding wildlife like pigeons and squirrels on public property within the Downtown District, but the rule is narrow: it excludes dogs and deer, doesn't apply to Lincoln Park, and requires police to give one warning before any citation issues.
Portland Downtown Wildlife-Feeding Ban
Light RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances § 5-110 (Ch. 5, Art. III, Rev. 7-01-09)
(a) Within the Portland Downtown District, as established and defined by order of the City Council, Order #306, (3/16/1992), amended by Council Order #185 (2/22/95), no person shall intentionally dispense any type of food, substance or seeds to feed any species of wildlife upon the public ways or upon property owned or controlled by the city. (b) "Wildlife" as used in this Article means any und...
Pet Store Rules
Portland bars pet shops from selling breeder- or broker-sourced dogs and cats. Under City Code § 5-501, a licensed pet shop may offer for sale only dogs and cats obtained from or displayed in cooperation with an animal care facility or animal rescue organization, and only if the animal is older than eight weeks.
Portland Pet Shop Sales Rules
Significant RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances § 5-501
(a) A pet shop shall offer for sale only those dogs and cats that: (i) Are older than eight (8) weeks; and (ii) Have been obtained from or are displayed in cooperation with: (1) An animal care facility; or (2) An animal rescue organization; and (b) A pet shop shall not offer for sale a dog or cat that is younger than eight (8) weeks old; (c) Each pet shop shall maintain records sufficient to do...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Portland's Land Use Code defines veterinary services as an establishment for treating animals, with room to board patients during convalescence, and lists the use across the City's mixed-use, industrial, and other commercial zone tables. A veterinary clinic must also meet Table 18-A's off-street parking standard: one space per 300 square feet of floor area, dropping to one per 1,500 square feet once floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
Portland, ME Veterinary Services Zoning
Some RestrictionsPortland Code of Ordinances, Land Use Code Article 3 (Definitions, 'Veterinary services' & 'Animal-related services') and Table 18-A (Article 18, § 18.1) (eff. 7/1/2026)
Veterinary services. An establishment for the treatment of animals, where animals may be boarded during their convalescence. Animal-related services. Establishments principally for the training, daycare, or boarding of animals. Such uses shall not include veterinary services. Veterinary services 1 per 300 SF of floor area ... Over 5,000 SF of floor area: 1 per 1,500 SF of floor area