Animal Ordinances in Montgomery County, VA (2026)
10 rules for unincorporated Montgomery County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
County Code § 3-3 makes it unlawful to let any fowl, poultry, or livestock run at large onto a highway, public property, or a neighbor's premises anywhere in unincorporated Montgomery County. Owners must sufficiently confine or fence their birds and livestock so they cannot trespass or roam, and animal control can act on a stray complaint.
Montgomery County Poultry and Livestock Confinement
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 3-3
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow or permit any fowl, poultry or livestock of any description to run at large on to any highway or on public property or to the private premises of another person. All poultry, fowl and livestock shall be sufficiently confined or fenced up by the owner or person exercising control over such poultry, fowl or livestock, so as to prevent such poultry, fow...
Dog Leash Laws
County Code § 3-36 makes it unlawful for a dog owner to let the dog run or be at large anywhere in unincorporated Montgomery County. A dog counts as "at large" whenever it roams, runs, or self-hunts off its owner's property and outside the owner's or custodian's immediate control.
Montgomery County Dogs Running At Large Ban
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 3-36
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit or allow such dog to run or be at large within the county. For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be "at large" while roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. This section shall not apply to any person while engaged in a super...
Breed Restrictions
Montgomery County has no breed-specific ban. Article V lets a court declare an individual dog dangerous or vicious based on its own conduct, but Sections 3-54 and 3-56 expressly bar any finding, or ownership prohibition, based solely on the dog being a particular breed.
No Breed Bans, Individual Dog Findings Only
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code §§ 3-54, 3-56
No canine or canine crossbreed shall be found to be a dangerous dog solely because it is a particular breed nor is the ownership of a particular breed of canine or canine crossbreed be prohibited. ... No canine or canine crossbreed shall be found to be a vicious dog solely because it is a particular breed, nor is the ownership of a particular breed of canine or canine crossbreed prohibited.
Beekeeping
In Montgomery County outside Blacksburg and Christiansburg, residential beekeeping is allowed in the R-1, R-2, R-3, TND and PUD-RES districts on a half-acre lot or larger, capped at two hives per half acre, set back 25 feet from side and rear lines, with a required water source and no commercial sales.
Montgomery County Residential Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 10-41
Residential beekeeping as defined in section 10-61 of this chapter, are permitted in the residential (R-1), (R-2), (R-3), (TND) and (PUD-RES) zoning districts subject to the following requirements: A minimum lot size of one-half (½) acre is required. A density of two (2) hives per one-half (½) acre is permitted in residential zoning districts, with an equal number of nucleus hives. Beehives sha...
Exotic Pets
County Code § 3-6 bars residents from importing, keeping, or releasing any predatory animal or one that may endanger life or property in unincorporated Montgomery County without a special permit from the board of supervisors, granted only after a public hearing and proof of a general liability policy of at least $250,000.
Montgomery County Dangerous Wild Animal Permit
Significant RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 3-6
No person shall import into the county, or liberate herein, or possess herein, any animal which is classified as predatory, or which may pose a danger to human life or property, except under a special permit issued by the board of supervisors. A threat of danger to human life or property shall be based upon the customary habits or natural disposition of the animal, its size or strength, or its ...
Pet Limits
Montgomery County sets no numeric cap on dogs or cats kept in a single home, but County Code § 3-1 defines a "kennel" as any establishment keeping five or more canines, felines, or hybrids for breeding, boarding, selling, training or showing. Cross that line and Sec 3-34 requires a kennel license instead of individual dog tags.
Montgomery County Kennel Licensing Threshold
Light RestrictionsMontgomery County Code §§ 3-1, 3-34
Kennel means any establishment in which five (5) or more canines, felines, or hybrids of either are kept for the purpose of breeding, hunting, training, renting, buying, boarding, selling, or showing. ... Private or commercial kennel for twenty (20) dogs or less - $50.00 for the period of one year, namely January 1 to December 31, inclusive. The kennel license shall be in lieu of the tax on ind...
Cat Rules
Montgomery County requires every cat over four months old to carry a current rabies vaccination under Code Section 3-40. The county sets no separate cat license or leash law, but a cat adopted from a releasing agency must be sterilized within a set window under Section 3-28.1, backed by a civil penalty.
Cat Vaccination and Sterilization Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code §§ 3-28.1, 3-40
A dog or cat shall not be released for adoption from a releasing agency unless: The animal has already been sterilized; or The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian (i) within thirty (30) days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature, or (ii) within thirty (30) days after the animal reaches six (6) months of age, if t...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
County Code § 3-28.1 requires every new owner who adopts a dog or cat from a releasing agency, including the county shelter, to have it sterilized within 30 days of adoption, or within 30 days after it turns six months old if it was not yet sexually mature. Breaking the sterilization or agreement rules carries a civil penalty.
Montgomery County Adopted Pet Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 3-28.1
Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. ... The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian (i) within thirty (30) days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature, or (ii...
Microchipping
Montgomery County has no general microchipping mandate for pets, but County Code § 3-30(c) lets a district court order a dog found to have killed or injured only poultry to be fitted with an identifying microchip registered to its owner, as an alternative to the killing, euthanasia or out-of-state removal otherwise available for livestock-killing dogs.
Montgomery County Poultry-Killer Dog Microchip Order
Light RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 3-30
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), if it is determined that the dog has killed or injured only poultry, the district court may, instead of ordering killing, euthanasia, or removal to another state pursuant to this section, order either (a) that the dog be transferred to another owner whom the court deems appropriate and permanently fitted with an identifying microchip registered ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary practice or animal hospital is a by-right use in Montgomery County's A-1 Agricultural District, meaning it does not need a special use permit, only compliance with the county's standard plan, permit and performance standards under County Code § 10-21.
Veterinary Practice Zoning in Montgomery County
Few RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 10-21
Uses permitted by right. The following uses are permitted by right, subject to compliance with all approved plans and permits, development and performance standards contained in this chapter, and all other applicable regulations: Agriculture. Agriculture, intensive. Agriculture, small scale. ... Veterinary practice, animal hospital.
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