Animal Ordinances in Valencia County, NM (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Valencia County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Valencia County classifies keeping chickens, poultry, cattle, goats, rabbits and other farm animals as an agricultural activity, and Chapter 92's nuisance code excludes agricultural uses that don't create a health or safety hazard. Backyard flocks and small livestock herds face no nuisance-based restriction unless the keeping turns hazardous.
Valencia County Exempts Backyard Livestock, Poultry
Few RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 92.03(B), 92.04(2)
(B) Agricultural activities. All agricultural uses, agricultural facilities, agricultural operations, and agricultural activities as defined herein, which uses do not cause a health or safety hazard, are excluded from the provisions of this chapter. ... AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES. Activities which are agricultural in nature and which include: ... (2) The breeding, hatching, raising, producing, sla...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Valencia County, dogs and cats may only be on roadways and public areas on a secure leash no longer than 6 feet, kept in the handler's immediate physical control, under Code § 90.035(A). The rule exempts bona fide animal shows and hunting dogs under voice control, and animal control or Sheriff's deputies can impound any dog or cat found running loose.
Valencia County Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 90.035(A), (D)(2)
(A) Dogs and/or cats are permitted on the roadways and public areas in the county only if on a secure leash not exceeding 6 feet in length, and in the immediate physical control of the person having custody thereof. This provision does not apply when an animal is in a bona fide animal show, nor does it apply to dogs trained for the purpose of hunting and under the voice control of their owner...
Breed Restrictions
Valencia County doesn't restrict dogs by breed; instead, Code § 90.069 lets an animal control officer investigate any complaint and declare a specific dog dangerous or vicious based on its conduct. An owner has 30 days to register the animal, secure $100,000 in liability insurance, and build a locked, escape-proof enclosure, or the dog can be seized under a warrant.
Valencia County Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsValencia County Code § 90.069(G)(3), (H)
(G) Requirements for owners or custodians of dangerous animals. Not later than the thirtieth day after a person learns that he or she is the owner or custodian of a dangerous animal, the person shall: ... (3) Obtain liability insurance in the amount of at least $100, 000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous animal causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of ...
Beekeeping
Unincorporated Valencia County treats honey bee production and keeping as an agricultural activity, and Chapter 92's public nuisance code excludes agricultural activities that don't create a health or safety hazard. Beekeepers in the unincorporated area face no nuisance-based restriction from the county unless the operation becomes hazardous.
Valencia County Exempts Beekeeping From Nuisance Rules
Few RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 92.03(B), 92.04(3)
(B) Agricultural activities. All agricultural uses, agricultural facilities, agricultural operations, and agricultural activities as defined herein, which uses do not cause a health or safety hazard, are excluded from the provisions of this chapter. ... AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES. Activities which are agricultural in nature and which include: ... (3) The production and keeping of honey bees, produ...
Cat Rules
Trap, neuter, and return work with unowned feral cats does not count as abandonment in unincorporated Valencia County under Code § 90.067(H). A person or organization that traps, sterilizes, and releases feral cats is not treated as the animal's owner, harborer, keeper, holder, or possessor, shielding TNR practitioners from the chapter's cruelty and abandonment liability.
Valencia County Feral Cat TNR Rule
Few RestrictionsValencia County Code § 90.067(B), (H)
(B) Penalty of $200 to $500 shall be imposed upon the owner or keeper for abandonment and/or abuse, and the animal(s) shall be impounded. ... (H) Abandonment does not apply to the trap, neuter and return (TNR) of feral cats. A person or organization managing unowned cats by trap, neuter and return are not deemed the owner, harborer, keeper, holder or possessor of such cats.
Microchipping
Every dog or cat over 3 months old in unincorporated Valencia County must have a microchip implanted, under Code § 90.036(C). The same section requires an annual license with proof of current rabies vaccination, a $10 fee for an animal caught without its license tag, and a free license for sterilized, microchipped pets owned by senior citizens.
Valencia County Pet Microchipping Requirement
Significant RestrictionsValencia County Code § 90.036(A), (C)
(A) Any person harboring or maintaining any dog or cat over the age of 3 months within the county shall obtain a license or permit from animal control on an annual basis. The animal control shelter shall keep a record of all licenses issued. A current rabies vaccination certificate shall be presented at the time of the application for the license. Licenses shall be issued at the animal contro...
Pet Store Rules
A pet shop in unincorporated Valencia County can't operate without a permit from the Animal Control Director, under Code § 90.080(A). The same permit requirement covers commercial kennels/catteries, humane society guard dog sites, and hobby kennels/catteries, and operating without one, or keeping a dangerous animal without one, draws a flat $100 fine.
Valencia County Pet Shop Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 90.002, 90.080(A), (B)
PET SHOP. Any establishment owned or premises maintained for the purchase, sale, exchange or hire of animals except livestock. ... (A) No person shall operate a commercial kennel/cattery, pet shop, humane society guard dog site, hobby kennel/cattery or keep a dangerous animal without a valid permit issued by the Animal Control Director. (B) A fine of $100 will be assessed for any violations.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Code § 154.121(B)(8) allows veterinary hospitals with outdoor kennels and runs as a permitted use, not merely a conditional one, in Valencia County's Community Commercial (C-2) District, subject only to the standard site design review under §§ 154.035 through 154.040 rather than a conditional-use hearing.
Valencia County Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Few RestrictionsValencia County Code § 154.121(B)(8)
(B) Permitted uses. ... In the C-2 District, the following uses shall be permitted subject to the standards and limitations set forth in division (F) and pursuant to §§ 154.035 through 154.040 for site design review: ... (8) Veterinary hospitals with outdoor facilities;
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