Animal Ordinances in Vestavia Hills, AL (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Vestavia Hills, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
A Vestavia Hills dog must be on a leash held by its owner whenever it is off the owner's own property. Loose dogs on streets, sidewalks or public places are declared a nuisance and can be impounded, with fines starting at $35.
Vestavia Hills Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances § 4-19
It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of a dog to cause or permit such dog to run at large or be upon a street, sidewalk, thoroughfare or public place within the city, unless such dog is attached to a leash in the hands of said owner or person in charge of said dog.
Breed Restrictions
Vestavia Hills makes it unlawful to own, keep, or harbor a vicious animal within city limits. The city's animal code defines viciousness by behavior, not breed: a documented history of unprovoked attacks, chasing, or threatening residents. A conviction lets the municipal court order the animal removed from the city, and defiance of that order is contempt, triggering immediate seizure and impoundment of the animal.
Vestavia Hills Vicious Animal Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances § 4-17(b)
(b)Vicious animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor a vicious animal in the city. In addition to the penalties provided in section 4-18, the court may order that the vicious animal or animals be removed from the city. Should the defendant fail and/or refuse to remove the animal from the city as ordered, the municipal court judge shall find the defendant owner in cont...
Exotic Pets
Vestavia Hills bans keeping any wild or exotic animal on residential property, along with venomous reptiles and any vicious or poisonous animal kept for display. The code names raccoons, bobcats, tigers, monkeys, cobras, alligators and any snake over five feet as covered species.
Vestavia Hills Exotic and Wild Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances §§ 4-16, 4-17(e)
Exotic/wild animals include, but are not limited to, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, piranhas, barracudas, sharks, scorpions, tarantulas, tigers, hybrid wolves, monkeys, squirrels or chipmunks. Exotic/wild animals shall also include any poisonous, venomous, or inherently dangerous member of the reptile or amphibian family (including, but not limited to, rattlesnakes, other pit vipers, cobra...
Wildlife Feeding
Vestavia Hills prohibits knowingly feeding or offering food to a feral cat on private or public property when the purpose is to attract or harbor it. Feeding your own household cat, or food that is merely incidental to another lawful activity, is exempt.
Vestavia Hills Feral Cat Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances § 4-53(b)
(b)Feeding. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly feed, offer food, or in any manner provide food to any feral cat on private or public property within the city limits for the purpose of attracting or harboring such animals.
Cat Rules
Vestavia Hills lets the city humanely trap and impound feral, stray or abandoned cats and hold them at least seven days for the owner to redeem. Unclaimed cats may be offered for adoption or, if healthy and sterilized, released back where they were trapped.
Vestavia Hills Feral Cat Impoundment Rules
Some RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances § 4-55(b)
The city or its representatives, including the code enforcement official, animal control officer, or person serving in like capacity, or such persons or firms as may be designated or employed by the city or with whom the city may contract for such purposes, shall have the authority to trap or collect by humane means and impound any cat or member of the feline family that appears to be stray, ab...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Vestavia Hills zoning keeps veterinary hospitals, animal shelters and kennels away from neighbors: indoor and outdoor pens stay at least 100 feet from a residential district line, outdoor runs get their own 50-foot setback and privacy fencing, and offensive odors beyond the lot line are banned outright.
Vestavia Hills Veterinary & Kennel Setbacks
Some RestrictionsVestavia Hills Zoning Ordinance §§ 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.4
7.6.1. No indoor or outdoor pens or runs shall be located within 100 feet of a residential district boundary. Outdoor runs shall be set back no less than fifty (50) ft from all lot lines. ... 7.6.2. Outdoor runs shall be located to the rear of the building and all such areas visible from a public right-of-way shall be enclosed with a wooden privacy fence or similar weather-resistant, durable, a...
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vestavia Hills city rules.
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