7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Albany County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Albany County municipalities regulate poultry and livestock individually. Rural and semi-rural towns allow chickens and some livestock. The City of Albany restricts poultry. Agricultural zones throughout the county are permissive under right-to-farm protections.
Albany County requires dogs to be restrained on public property and off the owners premises under NY Ag and Markets Law and municipal leash ordinances. Most towns mandate a 6-foot leash in parks and public ways.
New York State preempts breed-specific legislation. Albany County municipalities cannot ban or restrict dogs by breed and instead enforce behavior-based dangerous dog laws under NY Ag and Markets Law Section 123.
Beekeeping is legal throughout Albany County under NY Ag and Markets Law Article 15. Registration with the NY State Apiarist is required and most municipalities allow 2 to 4 hives on residential lots.
NY Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0512 prohibits possession of wild animals as pets statewide. Albany County enforces this ban plus local restrictions on certain reptiles and primates.
Albany County wildlife feeding is restricted under NY ECL §11-0505 and 6 NYCRR §189 (deer feeding ban statewide since 2002). Intentional feeding of deer, bear, and wild turkey is prohibited; bird feeders and backyard wildlife attractants may be regulated when they create nuisance or public health issues.
Livestock such as goats, sheep, and horses are restricted to agricultural and rural zones across Albany County. Minimum lot sizes of 2 to 5 acres are standard, with NY Ag and Markets Law governing welfare.
2 cities in Albany County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Albany County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Albany County Ordinance Hub →