Animal Ordinances in Pima County, AZ (2026)
8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pima County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Pima County's GR-1 Rural Residential zone, outside Tucson and the county's other cities, Code § 18.14.020(A)(9) caps livestock and ratites at one animal per ten thousand square feet of lot, while (A)(12) allows poultry and other small animals up to forty per acre, both by right with no conditional use permit required.
Pima County Backyard Livestock & Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsPima County Code § 18.14.020(A)(9), (12)
A. Uses permitted: ... 9. The raising and grazing of livestock and ratites, provided there is no more than one animal per ten thousand square feet; ... 12. The raising of poultry or other small animals, provided there are no more than forty animals per acre;
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Pima County, letting a dog run loose on streets, sidewalks or private property (yours or someone else's) is a Class 2 misdemeanor carrying a mandatory $100-$750 fine. Owners must also immediately clean up after their dog on public or private property, backed by a separate misdemeanor penalty.
Pima County Dog At-Large & Leash Law
Some RestrictionsPima County Code § 6.04.030(A), (B) & (D)
A. The owner of a dog or canine-wild animal hybrid that is found at large upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys, or public property is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. B. The owner of a dog or canine-wild animal hybrid that is found at large upon the premises of the owner or upon the private premises of any other person is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. ... D. Penalty. A violation of any ...
Beekeeping
Unincorporated Pima County allows beehives in every zone if you meet colony density limits, a 30-foot setback, and a flight barrier.
Pima County Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsPima County Code § 18.07.030(E)
E. Beekeeping is permitted in all zones subject to the requirements of this section: ... 2. Bee hives shall be kept a minimum of thirty feet from any exterior lot boundary line. 3. Except for lots with an area greater than one acre, a barrier shall be erected that will prevent bees from flying through it. Such barrier shall: a. Be at least six feet in height and shall consist of a dense plant o...
Exotic Pets
Keeping a canine-wild animal hybrid, a wolf-dog or coyote-dog cross, in unincorporated Pima County for more than 30 cumulative days requires a county permit. Applicants must be 18 or older, provide permanent ID for the animal, have a secure fenced yard, and get the animal sterilized once it turns five months old.
Pima County Wolf-Dog Hybrid Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsPima County Code § 6.05.020(A) & (B)(1)-(3)
A. Any person who owns, keeps, possesses, harbors, or maintains a canine-wild animal hybrid within the unincorporated county limits for more than thirty cumulative days must have a valid permit issued by Pima County Animal Care for each animal. B. Canine-wild animal hybrid permits shall not be issued unless the following conditions are met: 1) The applicant must be at least eighteen years...
Cat Rules
Pima County has no license requirement or at-large law aimed at cats specifically; those rules in Title 6 target dogs. What the code does regulate is what happens to cats that end up forfeited, abandoned or unclaimed at Pima Animal Care, including releasing healthy strays back outside through a defined "community cat" trap-neuter-return program.
Pima County Feral Cat & Shelter Cat Disposition Rule
Light RestrictionsPima County Code § 6.04.180(A)(3) & (C)
A. Any animal forfeited, abandoned, ownerless or unclaimed, and any other animals to be disposed of by the county enforcement agent, shall be: ... 3. Transferred to a duly incorporated humane society or other nonprofit corporate animal-welfare organization devoted to the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals. Transferred animals shall be placed by adoption in a suitable home a...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Pima County does not require residents to spay or neuter pets they already own. Its mandatory sterilization rule applies specifically to dogs and cats adopted out of the Pima Animal Care Center: every animal must be spayed or neutered and microchipped before release, unless a veterinarian certifies a medical reason to wait.
Pima County Shelter-Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsPima County Code § 6.04.090(A)(1)-(3)
A. Any dog or cat held by the Pima Animal Care Center for the period required by law and not reclaimed by its owner may be released for adoption subject to the following conditions: 1. The adopting owner must pay a fee pursuant to Section 6.04.060. A transportation fee of no more than six dollars per dog or cat may also be charged to adoption owners. 2. Pima Animal Care Center will insure...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary outpatient clinic for small animals is a by-right use in Pima County's CB-1 Local Business zone under Code § 18.43.030(B)(109), but boarding isn't allowed, and overnight confinement is capped at five animals held only for ongoing clinic treatment.
Pima County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Light RestrictionsPima County Code § 18.43.030(B)(109)
109. Veterinary outpatient clinic for small animals: a. No boarding allowed; b. Overnight confinement for clinic treatment permitted for a maximum of five animals;
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Unincorporated Pima County allows wildlife rehabilitation facilities in every zone with no conditional use permit, but Section 18.09.020(M) requires the operator to hold a valid Arizona state license to rehabilitate wildlife and to meet the underlying zone's development standards. Domestic-animal rescue and sanctuary operations, covered separately under subsection N, need a Type I conditional use permit instead.
Pima County Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility Rules
Light RestrictionsPima County Code § 18.09.020(M)
M. Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities. 1. Scope: Wildlife rehabilitation facilities are permitted in any zone. 2. Requirements: a. The facility must be operated, maintained, and under the direct supervision of an individual who possesses a valid license from the state of Arizona to operate a wildlife rehabilitation facility or to operate a facility to hold wildlife for purposes of educa...
Animal Ordinances by City in Pima County
2 cities in Pima County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pima County ordinances
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