16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Maricopa County, keeping livestock and poultry is regulated by the zoning ordinance based on lot size and zoning district. Rural zones (RU-43, RU-190) permit livestock and poultry with no numerical limit provided the primary use remains residential or agricultural. Structures housing poultry must be at least 20 feet from property lines and 40 feet from neighboring dwellings. Manure must be managed to prevent fly breeding.
ARS §11-1001 et seq. requires dog licensing and rabies vaccination in Maricopa County. MCACC enforces animal control laws in unincorporated areas. Dogs must be confined to the owner's property or under control. At-large dogs subject to impoundment.
Maricopa County has no breed-specific legislation (BSL) for unincorporated areas. Arizona uses a behavior-based dangerous dog standard under ARS §11-1025. All breeds are permitted. HOA CC&Rs may impose breed or size restrictions in planned communities.
Beekeeping in Maricopa County is regulated by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA). Arizona is an Africanized Honey Bee (AHB) state, which means stricter regulations apply. Beekeepers must register hives with AZDA. No state preemption prevents counties from restricting beekeeping. The county zoning ordinance may limit hive placement and numbers in residential zones.
Exotic pet ownership in Maricopa County is regulated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) under ARS 17-306. Certain species are prohibited without a special license. AZGFD maintains lists of restricted and prohibited wildlife. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control enforces local animal control ordinances including licensing and dangerous animal provisions.
Maricopa County does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding in unincorporated areas. However, AZGFD strongly discourages feeding wildlife as it attracts coyotes, javelina, and other desert animals into residential areas. Intentionally feeding wildlife that becomes a nuisance may result in enforcement action under general nuisance provisions.
Animal hoarding in unincorporated Maricopa County is addressed through animal keeping limits and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control at (602) 506-7387.
Maricopa County zoning limits households in unincorporated areas to a small number of dogs and cats absent a kennel permit. Inside incorporated cities like Phoenix, Mesa, or Scottsdale, each city's own pet-limit ordinance applies instead of the county rule.
Maricopa County follows Arizona ARS §11-1008 and County Animal Care rules: every cat older than three months must carry a current rabies vaccination. No countywide leash law applies, but owners remain liable for nuisance, wildlife harm, and property damage caused by free-roaming cats.
Maricopa County has no mandatory spay or neuter ordinance and Arizona has no statewide requirement. Sterilization is voluntary, but the county and partner clinics offer subsidized surgeries, discounted altered-dog license fees, and free vouchers through the Spay Neuter Hotline of Arizona.
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control microchips every dog and cat before adoption from its East and West Valley shelters. The county has no mandate for owned pets, but a chip is strongly recommended and is the fastest way to reclaim a lost pet from MCACC.
Maricopa County and Arizona Game and Fish follow a coexistence model for urban coyotes. Residents are urged to haze coyotes, secure food sources, and protect small pets. Feeding coyotes or other wildlife violates state nuisance and wildlife rules backed by AZGFD enforcement.
Arizona HB-2702 (2017) preempted local ordinances banning retail pet-store sales of dogs and cats. Maricopa County and its cities cannot enforce a sourcing ban, but stores must follow Arizona's Pet Lemon Law (ARS §44-1799) and humane-care standards enforced by MCACC.
Arizona does not license pet groomers and Maricopa County does not require a special groomer permit. Operators must register a business, collect transaction privilege tax, comply with county or city zoning, and follow general humane-care standards under ARS §13-2910.
Maricopa County zoning ordinance Title 11 treats veterinary hospitals and clinics as commercial uses. Most are permitted in C-1 and C-2 districts in unincorporated areas; clinics with overnight boarding or outdoor runs need additional review and may require a special use permit.
Native migratory birds are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Arizona ARS §17-235. Killing, trapping, or possessing protected birds, eggs, or feathers without a permit is illegal. Maricopa County supports compliance through MCACC and AZGFD wildlife reporting.
10 cities in Maricopa County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
16 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
13 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
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