Animal Ordinances in Sahuarita, AZ (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Sahuarita, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Sahuarita allows chickens, rabbits, and other small animals as a noncommercial accessory home use under Town Code Section 18.12.030(M), but roosters are permitted only in the RH and GR-1 zones. R-1 through R-5 lots cap poultry at 24 per lot, GR-1 allows up to 40 per acre, and the MH zone caps out at six.
Sahuarita Backyard Chicken and Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code § 18.12.030(M)
Poultry and Small Animals. All of the following apply: 1. The keeping of small animals such as rabbits and chickens, not for commercial purposes, is permitted as an accessory use to a home. 2. Roosters shall only be permitted in RH and GR-1 zones. 3. The number of poultry or small animals in GR-1 is limited to no more than 40 per acre, while R-1 through R-5 are limited to no more than 24 per lo...
Dog Leash Laws
Sahuarita requires every dog on public streets, sidewalks, alleys or parks to be on a leash, chain, rope or cord. On private property a dog must be confined indoors or behind a fence strong and tall enough to stop it escaping. A first violation is a civil infraction.
Sahuarita Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code § 6.20.010
Any dog owned, possessed, harbored, kept or maintained on public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks or other public property shall be restrained by a leash, chain, rope, cord or similar device. ... Any dog owned, possessed, harbored, kept or maintained upon or about the private property of any person, including the property of the dog's owner, shall be confined inside a house or other building, ...
Breed Restrictions
Sahuarita has no breed-specific ban; it regulates by behavior instead. Chapter 6.35 STC makes it unlawful to keep any animal a court declares dangerous, and once declared, the magistrate can order a locked enclosure, $250,000 liability insurance, a posted warning sign and permanent muzzling.
Sahuarita Dangerous Animal Declaration Law
Significant RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code §§ 6.35.010(A), 6.40.070(B)(9)-(10)
It is unlawful for any person to keep, control, harbor, or otherwise have under control any animal which is dangerous. ... That the owner of the animal display on every gate or entry way to the enclosure where the animal is kept a sign in three-inch letters, easily readable by the public, using the words "Vicious Animal." ... That the owner maintain liability insurance in a single incident amou...
Beekeeping
Sahuarita allows backyard beekeeping in every zoning district under STC § 18.07.030(E), but caps colony density at one hive per 2,500 square feet of lot area. Hives kept within 30 feet of a property line need a five-foot flyway barrier extending 30 feet past the hive, and every beekeeper must register the operation with the Arizona Commission of Agriculture and Horticulture.
Sahuarita Beekeeping Rules for All Zones
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code § 18.07.030(E)
Beekeeping. 1. The following beekeeping regulations apply to all zoning districts: a. The density of colonies in any zoning district shall not exceed one colony of bees for each 2,500 square feet of lot area. b. If bees are kept within 30 feet of any exterior lot boundary line, a barrier shall be erected that will prevent bees from flying through it. Such barrier shall: (1) Be at least five...
Cat Rules
Sahuarita does not license cats the way it licenses dogs, and free-roaming or feral cats are excluded from the town's animal-hoarding count. The code also lets an impounded cat be released back outdoors through a shelter's community cat program instead of being destroyed.
Sahuarita Feral Cat and Impound Rules
Light RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code §§ 6.30.040(B), 6.40.130(A)(2)(b) and (B)
Feral cats that are not domesticated, have become wild, or are free roaming shall not be considered owned, possessed, kept, harbored, or maintained for the purposes of this section. ... Transferred animals shall be disposed of by one of the following methods: ... Released as part of a community cat program. ... does not breed or release unsterilized animals, releases animals only through commun...
Microchipping
Sahuarita does not require pet owners to microchip their animals, but the town enforcement agent may implant a microchip in any animal it impounds, and the owner is billed for that chip along with every other impoundment cost when reclaiming the animal.
Sahuarita Animal Microchipping Authority
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code §§ 6.40.110, 6.40.120
The town enforcement agent is authorized and empowered to place or cause to be placed an identity-tracing microchip in any animal impounded under this title. ... all fees associated with the impoundment of an animal for any reason under the authority of this title, including without limitation veterinary, removal, impoundment, boarding, microchipping, and disposition fees, shall be paid by the ...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming businesses need a Type 2 conditional use permit in Sahuarita's Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Mixed-Use (MX) zones under Table 18.42-1 of Town Code Section 18.42.020, but the same use is permitted by right in the Local Business (B-1) and General Business (B-2) zones.
Sahuarita Pet Grooming Business Zoning
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code § 18.42.020(B)-(C), Table 18.42-1
§ 18.42.020. Table of permitted uses. ... C. Conditional Uses. A "C" indicates that a use is allowed only if reviewed and approved in accordance with the procedures and standards of Chapter 18.97 STC, Conditional Use Procedures. 1. "C1" indicates that a use is subject to a Type 1 conditional use permit. 2. "C2" indicates that a use is subject to a Type 2 conditional use permit. ... Table 18.42-...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in Sahuarita's rural residential zones must sit on at least five acres and keep every animal structure, run, or fenced area at least 100 feet from any abutting rural or residential property under Town Code Section 18.12.030(E). Site coverage cannot exceed 30 percent.
Sahuarita Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSahuarita Town Code § 18.12.030(E)
Veterinary Services. All of the following apply: 1. No structure, shelter, animal run, or fenced area to be within 100 feet of any abutting property in a rural or residential zone, and all animal runs shall be indoor and enclosed if within 300 feet of an abutting property line. 2. The minimum site area is five acres. 3. Maximum site coverage 30 percent.
Looking for Pima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sahuarita city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Pima County →