Animal Ordinances in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the Town of Tonawanda, allowing a horse, cow, sheep, pig, fowl or other animal to run loose violates Town of Tonawanda Code Section 199-3, enforced by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department's animal control officer. Separately, the Town Board's zoning code lists "keeping of animals," defined to include fowl and farm animals such as backyard chickens, as an expressly prohibited use in every residential district: R-1, R-2 and MR.
Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules in Tonawanda, NY
Heavy RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 199-3, 199-6
No person, firm, association, copartnership or corporation shall permit to run at large any horse or horses or any cattle, sheep, swine, fowls or other animals, which acts are hereby made unlawful. ... Any violation by a person, firm or corporation of any provision of this article shall be deemed a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 1...
Dog Leash Laws
Outside the Village of Kenmore, a dog cannot leave its owner's property in the Town of Tonawanda unless it is on a chain or leash no longer than six feet and under a responsible person's control. Dogs must also stay confined by a secure enclosure or collar and chain at all times so they cannot stray. A dog found loose is presumed to be a violation.
Tonawanda Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 71-5D(1), 71-7A(1)
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the town to permit or allow a dog to: ... Be off the premises of such owner and in the Town of Tonawanda, New York, exclusive of the Village of Kenmore, unless restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and under the control of a responsible person. Whenever a dog is found off the premises of the person owning, keeping, harbo...
Beekeeping
The Town of Tonawanda's Zoning Law bars beekeeping outright in every residential district. Table 20-a, under Section 215-20.4, marks "Keeping of animals" as an expressly prohibited use in the R-1, R-2 and MR districts, and a footnote confirms that prohibited use covers "the breeding, raising, or keeping of bees ... on any property," with no separate apiary permit written into the code.
Backyard Beekeeping Rules in Tonawanda, NY
Heavy RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-20.4, Table 20-a
Uses not listed and those identified with a "-" are expressly prohibited. Table 20-a R-1 R-2 MR ... Keeping of animals3 — — — ... This shall include the breeding, raising, or keeping of bees, fowl, farm animals, exotic animals, pigeons, reptiles, or more than three dogs on any property.
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wild or domestic birds or animals outdoors in the Town of Tonawanda is restricted under Code § 181-17.1C, part of the 2006 rodent-control law: feed must be dispensed so it cannot scatter on the ground, where it would draw rodents, insects or other vermin. Loose feed tossed on lawns for geese, deer or backyard birds runs afoul of the rule.
Tonawanda Outdoor Wildlife Feeding Rule
Significant RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 181-17.1C
C. No person shall feed in the open any domestic or wild fowl, birds or animals, except in such a manner as to prevent the scattering of feed or seed upon the ground or ground level, which can or will provide food for rodents, insects, vermin or other pests.
Pet Limits
In the Town of Tonawanda, no more than three dogs six months or older can be harbored on one property outside an industrial district. A special permit from the Town Board can raise that cap for a veterinarian, veterinary hospital or animal-protective association, but never in the town's First Residential, Second Residential, Multifamily or Restricted Business districts.
Tonawanda Limits Dogs to Three Per Home
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 71-5A, 71-10
Except in an industrial district in the Town of Tonawanda, New York, not more than three dogs six months or more in age shall be harbored on any premises; provided, however, that a special permit may be granted by the Town Board of the Town of Tonawanda, New York, to a licensed veterinarian or veterinary hospital or any incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or similar in...
Cat Rules
Chapter 60 of the Town of Tonawanda Code makes cat owners responsible for keeping their animals from becoming a nuisance, whether through noxious odors, property damage or unsightly litter. Female cats in heat cannot run at large and must be confined to the owner's premises. The rules apply everywhere in the town except the Village of Kenmore, which polices its own cats.
Tonawanda Cat Nuisance and At-Large Rules
Light RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 60-4, 60-6
The owner of every cat shall be responsible for maintaining such animal in safe, sanitary and healthful surroundings and in such a manner as will not constitute a nuisance to neighboring property owners or to the public, including the existence of noxious odors, unsightly litter, or repeated or habitual violations of other provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to constitute such a nuisance...
Pet Groomer Rules
Animal grooming shops in the Town of Tonawanda must operate entirely inside an enclosed building, cannot board animals overnight, and must sit at least 50 feet from any residential district boundary under Town Code § 215-24.6B, alongside general odor, noise, and waste-management standards for all animal-care uses.
Tonawanda Animal Grooming Shop Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-24.6A, B
General requirements. ... The following requirements shall apply to all animal groom shop, animal hospital, veterinary clinic, and kennel uses. ... Adjacent properties shall be adequately protected from noise, odors, and unsightly appearances as determined appropriate by the reviewing board in site plan review. ... A waste management plan shall be required to ensure proper upkeep of the site an...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and kennels in the Town of Tonawanda may include outdoor exercise areas with site plan approval, but all buildings and outdoor animal areas must sit at least 50 feet from residential property, and animals must be confined indoors overnight, under Town Code § 215-24.6C.
Tonawanda Veterinary Clinic and Kennel Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-24.6C
Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and kennels. ... All services shall be provided within a completely enclosed building, with the exception of outdoor animal exercise, play, or containment areas subject to site plan review approval. ... All buildings, structures, accessory use areas, and outdoor animal exercise, play, or containment areas, except off-street parking areas, shall be located at...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tonawanda city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Erie County →