Animal Ordinances in Frederick County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Frederick County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, backyard chickens are allowed only in the R4 and R5 zoning districts under § 165-701.02 of the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 165). Households may keep up to six hens, no roosters, and the coop must clear specific setbacks.
Backyard Chickens in Frederick County, VA
Some RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 165-701.02
§ 165-701.02. ... Backyard chickens and chicken coops. ... Backyard chickens and chicken coops in the R4 and R5 zoning districts shall meet the following requirements: ... Roosters and other species of fowl are prohibited. ... Chickens shall be permitted accessory to single-family detached residences only. ... A maximum of six chickens (hens only) shall be permitted with one single-family detac...
Dog Leash Laws
Frederick County prohibits allowing a dog to run at large anywhere in the unincorporated county outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, all year round, under § 48-3 of the County Code. A dog running loose in a pack with other at-large dogs draws an added civil penalty on top of the standard misdemeanor punishment, and the duty runs to owners and custodians alike.
Dog At-Large and Leash Law, Frederick County
Some RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 48-3
It shall be unlawful to permit any dog to run at large within the County at any time during the year. Except as provided in Subsection B, any person who permits a dog to run at large shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of this subsection and be subject to punishment as provided in § 48-10. ... B. It shall also be unlawful to permit any dog to run at large in a pack within the County...
Breed Restrictions
Frederick County has no breed ban and no breed-specific licensing surcharge: § 48-3.1(C) of the County Code states that no dog may be found a dangerous or vicious dog, and no breed's ownership may be prohibited, solely because of its breed. Dangerous-dog status instead turns entirely on a court finding based on the animal's own conduct.
No Breed-Specific Dog Rules in Frederick County
Few RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 48-3.1
As used in this section, "dangerous dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed which a court of competent jurisdiction has determined to be a dangerous dog pursuant to § 3.2-6540 of the Code of Virginia; ... "vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed which has i) killed a person; ii) inflicted serious injury to a person, including multiple bites, serious disfigurement, serious impairment o...
Cat Rules
Frederick County does not license cats or regulate them for running at large: the only rule in the County Code that names cats directly is the rabies vaccination mandate in § 48-22(A), which requires every dog and cat to be vaccinated as required by Virginia Code § 3.2-6521.
Cat Rules in Frederick County, VA
Light RestrictionsFrederick County Code § 48-22
Vaccination required. All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated for rabies as required by § 3.2-6521 of the Code of Virginia.
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