Animal Ordinances in Elko County, NV (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Elko County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Elko County, Nevada, poultry is a domestic animal, and a reasonable number can be kept on a residential lot as a permitted accessory use for hobby or family use. Elko County Code § 4-2-3(H) rules out a full time commercial operation and sets stable setbacks and a front yard ban for paddocks, sheds, corrals and barns.
Chickens and Livestock Keeping in Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada
Some RestrictionsElko County Code §§ 4-1-9, 4-2-3(H)
DOMESTIC ANIMALS: Shall include any equine or bovine animals, ovine (sheep), caprine (goat), porcine (swine), domestic dog, domestic cat, poultry, or other domesticated beast or bird, which lives and breeds in a tame condition and depends on humankind for survival. ... (H) Maintenance Of Animals: ... The permanent maintenance of not more than a reasonable number of “domestic animals” as defined...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Elko County, Nevada, a dog owner must keep the dog restrained at all times: inside a building, behind a secure fence, in a vehicle, on a leash of not more than eight feet, or under effective voice or other nonverbal control off the owner's premises. Failure is a misdemeanor with a fine of $25 to $1,000 or up to thirty days in jail.
Dog Leash and Running at Large Rules in Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada
Some RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-2-6
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian of an animal to suffer, permit or allow the animal to run at large. (B) The owner of a dog must restrain the dog so that it does not run at large. The owner of a dog is responsible for the dog being at large, and is in violation of this Chapter unless the dog is at all times restrained by the following: 1. Within the confines of the owner’s re...
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada defines a dangerous dog by behavior, not breed: a dog with the propensity to bite human beings, and a bite to any person who was not trespassing is prima facie evidence. A dangerous dog's license is restricted, it must stay in an approved secure pen, and a dog found out of the pen is destroyed.
Dangerous Dog Rules in Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada
Significant RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-2-12
(A) As used in this Section, "dangerous dog" means a dog with the propensity to bite human beings. It shall be prima facie evidence that a dog is dangerous if it has bitten any person, unless the person was trespassing upon the property of the owner. ... (D) The dog license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be restricted whenever a dog is found to be dangerous, and the dog shall be continuo...
Cat Rules
In unincorporated Elko County, Nevada, every cat four months of age or older must be inoculated against rabies by a veterinarian, with reinoculation at not more than 24 month intervals for modified live vaccine or 12 months for killed vaccine. The county license in Section 7-2-4 covers dogs, but a business breeding or boarding cats for profit needs a Sheriff's Office permit.
Cat Rabies Vaccination and Breeder Rules in Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada
Some RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-2-5
(B) Inoculation; Reinoculation: All dogs or cats, harbored or maintained within Elko County, four (4) months of age or older shall be inoculated by a veterinarian with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by and in the manner and at such intervals as may be prescribed by the state department of agriculture, from time to time; provided, that every dog or cat shall be reinoculated at not more than twe...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada ties spay and neuter to adoption: anyone adopting a dog or cat from the Animal Control Officer must agree to have it neutered or spayed at their own expense. The dog license fee also rewards sterilization, at $5 for a spayed or neutered dog against $10 for a non-altered dog.
Spay and Neuter Requirements in Unincorporated Elko County, Nevada
Light RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-2-11
The Animal Control Officer may offer apparently healthy animal for adoption at the end of the claiming period set forth in subsection 7-2-10(A), upon the following conditions: (A) Dog and Cats: That adoptive owner agree to have the dog or cat be neutered or spayed at the expense of the adoptive owner. That the adoptive owner obtains a valid rabies tag or certificate from a licensed veterinarian...
Coyote Management
In unincorporated Elko County, Nevada, Section 7-3-8 bars anyone from keeping, harboring, caring for, maintaining, lodging or feeding a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote on private property. Violators must hand the animal over to the Rabies Control Authority or the Nevada Department of Wildlife on request, and exemptions need both agencies.
Elko County Ban on Keeping or Feeding Coyotes and Foxes
Significant RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-3-8
(A) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (B): 1. A person shall not keep, harbor or in any way care for, maintain, lodge or feed on private property, a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote. 2. Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall, upon request of the Rabies Control Authority and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, relinquish the animal to the Rabies Control Authority or ...
Pet Store Rules
In unincorporated Elko County, Nevada, Section 7-2-27 makes it unlawful for any business to keep or board a dog or cat for sale or profit, or to act as a breeder, without a permit from the Elko County Sheriff's Office. The permit lasts one year, cannot be transferred, and can be suspended or revoked by the Board of County Commissioners.
Elko County Sheriff Permit for Dog and Cat Sale Businesses
Significant RestrictionsElko County Code § 7-2-27
It is unlawful for any business to keep or board any dog or cat for sale or profit or to act as a breeder within Elko County without first obtaining a permit from Elko County Sheriff’s Office. (A) Application: The owner of the business shall submit an application to Elko County Sheriff’s Office on a form prescribed by the County. The application for a permit must contain the following: 1. The n...
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