Animal Ordinances in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 603.1

The Keeping of Farm Animals. No limit on number of farm animals in Rural zoning districts. In the R1-35 zoning district subject to the following conditions: 1. Up to six (6) chicken hens. Lots less than 1 acre in size with a recorded subdivision community, the enclosure for the chicken hens shall not exceed the height of the perimeter fencing of the lot.

Maricopa County Ordinance P-13, § 7

Within the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, no dog shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 201 (Definitions – "Outdoor Entertainment")

Entertainment enterprises conducted outdoors including but not limited to outdoor amusement parks; circus and carnival grounds having permanent facilities; drive-in or outdoor theaters; outdoor race tracks; permanent facilities for rodeos, auctions, swap meets, campgrounds, and sites rented for private parties including outdoor amplified music; zoos, including the keeping of wild or exotic anim...

Maricopa County Ordinance P-13, §§ 1, 4

"Kennel" means an enclosed, controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, harbors or maintains five or more dogs under controlled conditions. ... A person operating a kennel shall obtain a permit issued by the County Board of Supervisors where the kennel is located except if each individual dog is licensed. The annual fee for the kennel permit is seventy-five dollars.

Maricopa County Ordinance P-13, § 7

Within the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, no dog shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

Maricopa County Ordinance P-13, § 3 (License Fees for Dogs, Issuance of Dog Tags, Records, Penalties, Classification)

The County Board of Supervisors may set license fees that are lower for dogs permanently incapable of procreation. An applicant for a license for a dog claimed to be incapable of procreation shall furnish adequate proof satisfactory to the County enforcement agent that such dog has been surgically altered to be permanently incapable of procreation.

Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Ch. I, Regs. 4, 6-7 & 11

REGULATION 4. Permits, Service and Other Requirements a. No person shall conduct an operation or operate an establishment for which a permit is required without holding the necessary and valid permit to do so, unless otherwise specified in this Environmental Health Code. ... g. (1) Permits are valid for one calendar year from the initial issue date unless revoked by the Department. All permit f...

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 601

P - Permitted, S - Special Use Permit, POD - Plan of Development, TUP - Temporary Use Permit, and/or * additional information ... COMMERCIAL - MEDICAL ... Veterinary hospitals and clinics POD