Animal Ordinances in Surprise, AZ (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Surprise, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Surprise lets residents on lots over a half-acre keep up to 25 fowl or rodents, while smaller lots of a half-acre or less may keep up to six fowl (no roosters allowed on any single-family lot) in a rear or side-yard enclosure at least 20 feet from a neighboring property. Livestock generally requires a half-acre of lot area per animal, and swine remain banned citywide.
Surprise Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances §§ 10-113, 10-114
Sec. 10-113. - Livestock. Livestock shall be allowed provided not less than one-half acre of lot area is provided for each animal. Sec. 10-114. - Fowl and rodents. (b)Residents of a single-family detached residence on a lot more than one-half acre of lot area may keep 25 fowl, or 25 rodents, or a combination of 25 rodents and fowl.(c)Residents of any single-family detached residence may not kee...
Dog Leash Laws
Surprise prohibits letting a dog run at large, meaning off the owner's property and not on a leash of no more than six feet. Dogs may run off-leash only in a designated dog exercise area or dog park, and only while accompanied by, and under the control of, the owner or custodian, who must still carry a six-foot leash.
Surprise Dogs Running at Large Rules
Some RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 10-56
(a)No person shall intentionally, recklessly or negligently allow a dog that the person keeps, harbors or maintains to be at large.(b)Any dog at large shall be subject to apprehension and impoundment by the enforcement agent.(c)A dog shall not be considered at large while off leash in a designated dog exercise area or dog park; provided, the dog is accompanied by and under the control of the ow...
Breed Restrictions
Surprise regulates animals by behavior, not breed: an animal is declared 'vicious' through a city magistrate hearing after an attack or threatening conduct, not because of its breed. Once declared vicious, an owner must post warning signs, keep the animal enclosed, carry $100,000 in liability insurance, and have it spayed or neutered within 30 days.
Surprise Vicious Animal Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 10-26
(a)No person shall keep or maintain any animal which has been found to be vicious pursuant to section 10-58 or section 10-27, unless such animal is at all times kept in an enclosure...(f)An owner of an animal found vicious shall obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.00 for bodily injury or death of any person or for damage to property caused by the v...
Beekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is allowed in Surprise, but the hives can't sit just anywhere. Land Development Ordinance Sec. 106-10.4(C) requires any structure housing hives to stay at least 80 feet from a dwelling, a property line, or a right-of-way, whether the apiary is for hobby or commercial use.
Surprise Beekeeping Apiary Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsSurprise Land Development Ordinance § 106-10.4(C)
Apiaries may be permitted for beekeeping, provided the structures containing the hives shall not be located closer than eighty (80) feet to any dwelling, property line or right-of-way.
Exotic Pets
Surprise flatly bans keeping any poisonous reptiles, alligators or crocodiles within city limits, no permit or exception listed. Swine (pigs, hogs) are separately banned outright citywide, unlike other livestock, which is allowed with adequate lot size under a companion section.
Surprise Poisonous Reptile & Swine Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 10-112
Sec. 10-112. - Poisonous reptiles, alligators and crocodiles prohibited. No poisonous reptiles, alligators or crocodiles shall be kept within the city limits.
Wildlife Feeding
Surprise bans feeding animals, wild or domestic, on any city-owned property, including all parks and recreation facilities. The ban covers grain, seed, bread, food scraps or improperly contained garbage given to wild animals, birds, livestock, or feral or at-large domesticated animals within city property boundaries.
Surprise Feeding Animals on City Property Ban
Some RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 10-84
No person shall feed animals on city-owned property, including but not limited to all parks and recreation areas and facilities. For purposes of this section: (1)Feed means to knowingly provide any sustenance, including but not limited to, grain, seeds, greens, bread, breadcrumbs, fishmeal, waste food, food scraps, or other feed nutritive substances including garbage not properly disposed of or...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Surprise city rules.
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