Animal Ordinances in Vienna, VA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Vienna, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Vienna prohibits backyard chickens and other poultry in residential zones. Unlike some Fairfax County unincorporated areas that allow limited hens on larger lots, the Town of Vienna Zoning Ordinance does not permit chicken-keeping on typical residential lots. Roosters are prohibited townwide.
Animals: Chickens
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Vienna requires all dogs to be leashed when off the owner's property, with no off-leash exceptions outside designated dog parks. Fairfax County Animal Protection Police enforce leash laws in Vienna, with fines starting at 50 dollars for first offenses and escalating for repeat violations.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6538
Any locality may by ordinance prohibit the running at large of all or any category of dogs, except dogs used for hunting, in all or any designated portion of such locality during such months as it may designate. Any such locality may also require that dogs be confined, restricted, or penned up during such periods. For the purpose of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at large while roam...
Breed Restrictions
Vienna applies Virginia's Dangerous Dog Law (VA Code 3.2-6540.1) through Fairfax County Animal Protection Police. Dogs that bite or attack without provocation may be declared dangerous or vicious, with registration, insurance, muzzling, and secure-enclosure requirements. Virginia does not use breed-specific legislation.
Animals: Dangerous Dogs
Heavy RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-6540.1
"Vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has (i) killed a person, (ii) inflicted serious injury to a person, or (iii) continued to exhibit the behavior that resulted in a previous finding by a court or, on or before July 1, 2006, by an animal control officer as authorized by ordinance that it is a dangerous dog, provided that its owner has been given notice of that finding. C. No ...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is permitted in Vienna as an accessory residential use, subject to setback requirements and the Virginia State Apiarist registration under VA Code 3.2-4400 et seq. Hives must be located at least 10 feet from property lines, and all beekeepers must register annually with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 3.2-4400
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Apiary" means any place where one or more colonies of bees are kept. "Appliance" means any apparatus, tool, machine, or other device used in the handling and manipulating of bees, honey, wax, hives, and hive parts and shall include containers used in transporting, processing, storing, or merchandising bees and bee produc...
Exotic Pets
Vienna prohibits inherently dangerous exotic animals and defers to Virginia state law and Fairfax County regulations for other exotic species. Big cats, primates, venomous snakes, alligators, and bears are banned. Permitted exotics (rabbits, small reptiles, small birds) must still comply with pet-limit rules.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Vienna prohibits the feeding of wildlife including deer, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes, with fines up to 250 dollars. Deer management is handled through Fairfax County programs. Residents encountering injured or nuisance wildlife should contact Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or Fairfax County Animal Protection Police.
Animals: Wildlife
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Vienna limits residents to a reasonable number of domestic pets per household, generally interpreted as no more than 4 dogs or cats over 4 months old in a single-family home. Kennel licensing is required for households exceeding the limit, and HOAs in Vienna frequently impose additional pet-number restrictions.
Animals: Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fairfax County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vienna city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fairfax County →