Animal Ordinances in Broome County, NY (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Broome County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Broome County limits dogs, cats and other domesticated pets in its county parks to an eight-foot leash at all times, bars them from beaches and buildings altogether, and requires proof of current rabies vaccination. The rule sits in the county's Parks and Recreation Areas chapter and governs county park property only, not town or village streets.
Broome County Park Dog Leash Requirement
Some RestrictionsBroome County Code § 281-3(P)(1)-(2)
P. Dogs and other animals. (1) Dogs, cats and other domesticated pets are permitted, except on beaches and in buildings, only if they are controlled at all times by a leash not more than eight feet. No animals may be left unattended in the park without the express written permission of the Commissioner. This Subsection P(1) shall not apply to dogs assigned to a law enforcement K-9 unit, service...
Wildlife Feeding
Broome County doesn't ban feeding deer, geese or backyard birds outright, but its Sanitary Code requires anyone doing it to use a container. Section 305-25(E) makes it illegal to scatter feed on open ground for domesticated or wild fowl, birds or animals when that scattered food could attract rodents, insects or other vermin.
Broome County Ground-Feeding Wildlife Restriction
Light RestrictionsBroome County Charter and Code § 305-25(E)
E. No person shall feed in the open any domesticated or wild fowls, birds or animals other than in a suitable container and in such a manner so as to prevent scattering of food upon the ground or ground level which will or can provide food for rodents, insects, vermin or other pests.
Cat Rules
Broome County doesn't require cat licenses, but it does require rabies shots. Under the Sanitary Code's Feline Rabies Control article, every cat three months or older must be vaccinated against rabies, with narrow carve-outs for passing-through visitors, shelter cats, hospitalized animals and research-institution cats.
Broome County Cat Rabies Vaccination Rule
Some RestrictionsBroome County Charter and Code § 305-43(A)-(B)
A. The owner of every cat which is three months of age or older shall have the cat vaccinated against rabies. ... B. The vaccination requirement shall not apply to cats owned by a nonresident while passing through Broome County for a period not exceeding 15 days, to cats confined to the premises of incorporated societies devoted to the care of lost, strayed or homeless animals or confined to th...
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