Animal Ordinances in Washington County, UT (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washington County, Utah.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Washington County lets residential-zone lots keep livestock and poultry for personal food production, but caps the numbers by square footage: one large animal per 12,500 square feet (max four), three medium animals count as one large animal, and up to 30 poultry or rabbits per lot.
Washington County Backyard Chicken And Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 10-4-1 (ANIMAL SIZE)
In no event shall the property owner be allowed to keep in excess of the following in a residential zone: A. One (1) large animal for every twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) square feet of area not to exceed a maximum of four (4) large animals on any residential zoned lot not located in the RA-2.5, RA-5 and RA-10 Residential Agricultural zones... B. Three (3) medium animals shall equal one ...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Washington County it's unlawful for a dog's owner or keeper to let the dog run at large, defined as being off the owner's property and not on a leash, cord or chain or contained in the owner's vehicle. Any at-large dog is declared a public nuisance and can be impounded regardless of what precautions the owner took to prevent the escape.
Washington County Dog Leash & Control Law
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 5-3B-3
A. Running At Large: It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to run at large. B. Entrance Upon Private Property Without Permission: It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dog to permit such dog to go upon or be upon the private property of any person without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession of such private property. C. Owner Vio...
Breed Restrictions
Washington County does not restrict dogs by breed; instead it bans owning or possessing any dog legally classified as vicious or dangerous under § 5-3B-9. A dog is presumed vicious if it has bitten or attacked a person or animal without provocation, or has shown a known propensity to attack because of temperament or training.
Washington County Vicious Dog Ownership Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 5-3B-9
A. Prohibited: It is unlawful for any person to own or possess a vicious dog. Whenever a prosecution for this offense is commenced under this section, the dog so involved may not be redeemed, pursuant to the provisions of this section, while awaiting final decision of the court as to the disposition to be made of such dog.
Exotic Pets
Washington County zoning bars exotic animals, defined as species not historically found on Washington County farms, from any residential lot outside an RA (Residential Agricultural) zone. In the Open Space Transition zone, exotic animals need a conditional use permit and a parcel of 20 acres or more.
Washington County Exotic Animal Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 10-4-1 (ANIMAL SIZE, subsection D)
D. No pigs, other than weaner pigs, nor any exotic animals shall be kept on any lot within a residential zone other than RA (Residential Agricultural) zones. Due to impact pigs are considered large animals and must meet the large animal standard found in Animal Size definition.
Pet Limits
On a residential lot of one acre or less in unincorporated Washington County, household pets, meaning dogs, cats, or other animals ordinarily kept in the house for personal use, are capped at five total. Keeping three or more dogs for boarding, breeding, or sale instead makes the property a kennel.
Washington County Household Pet Number Limits
Light RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 10-4-1 (HOUSEHOLD PETS)
HOUSEHOLD PETS: Animals or fowl ordinarily permitted in the house and kept for personal use, such as dogs and cats, but not kept for commercial purposes, as defined in this title, and not exceeding five in total number if in a zone where the lot size is one acre or less.
Cat Rules
Washington County requires every cat over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies every twelve months, and it's unlawful under § 5-3B-7 for an owner to let an unvaccinated cat onto a sidewalk, street, alley or public place. There is no separate cat-licensing scheme, but impounded cats are redeemed under the same fee and record process as dogs.
Washington County Cat Vaccination Requirement
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 5-3B-7
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to suffer, allow or permit such animal to be or go upon any sidewalk, street, alley or public place within the limits of the County, exclusive of the incorporated areas, without first having had such animal vaccinated against rabies. Every dog shall be vaccinated every two (2) years against rabies and every cat shall be vaccinated every twelv...
Coyote Management
Washington County lets hunters take coyote, red fox, striped skunk, feral pig, raccoon and jackrabbit by spotlighting, but only with a $20 sheriff's office permit, and only outside the closed season of August 1 through November 30. Anyone protecting crops or livestock from predation, or an authorized wildlife-damage agent, is exempt from the permit requirement.
Washington County Coyote Spotlighting Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 5-3E-4
A. Before being able to spotlight, a person must first obtain a spotlighting permit from the Washington County Sheriff's Office. There is a twenty-dollar ($20.00) fee for each permit, and the sheriff's office may restrict the number of permits issued. ... Permits are valid for three hundred and sixty-five (365) days from when they are obtained. ... B. The spotlighting season in Washington Count...
Pet Groomer Rules
Washington County's commercial use chart allows pet grooming businesses as a permitted use in the C-2, C-3 and PDC zones, but the use is not listed as permitted in the county's C-1 Convenience Commercial zone.
Pet Grooming Zoning, Washington County
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 10-10-2
Service businesses, limited to the following uses: Athletic club, health club P P P P Barbershop, beauty shop P P P P Body piercing, ancillary to a permitted use P P P ... Locksmith P P P Massage establishment ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Washington County's commercial use chart permits animal hospitals and veterinary clinics, including overnight small-animal care, as a matter of right in the C-2, C-3 and PDC zones, but not in the C-1 Convenience Commercial zone.
Veterinary Clinics Zoning, Washington County
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code of Ordinances § 10-10-2
COMMERCIAL USE CHART Uses C-1 C-2 C-3 PDC Animal services, limited to the following: Animal boarding/care for small animals only and boarded for P P P less than 30 days a year in a completely enclosed building Animal hospital and veterinary clinic, including overnight P P P care of small animals in a completel...
Animal Ordinances by City in Washington County
1 cities in Washington County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washington County ordinances
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