Animal Ordinances in Washoe County, NV (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Poultry and livestock may be kept in unincorporated Washoe County where the Development Code zoning allows it, but in congested areas the owner must keep them fenced or penned so they never leave the property. Livestock running at large in a congested area is unlawful.
Keeping chickens and livestock in Washoe County
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.540
It is unlawful for livestock to be at large within any congested area. A violation of this section is committed by the owner or person having custody, control or possession of the livestock.
Dog Leash Laws
In designated congested areas of unincorporated Washoe County, dogs must be leashed off their owner's premises. Outside congested areas, a dog must be accompanied and under voice or signal control. Letting a dog run at large is unlawful and the animal may be impounded.
Dog leash and at-large rules in Washoe County
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.100(1)
In the congested areas of the county, every person who is the owner of or has the care, custody or control of any ... dog ... has an absolute duty to keep the same upon the premises under the control of such person, restrained by a fence, cage, coop, chain, leash or other adequate means.
Breed Restrictions
Washoe County has no breed-specific dog ban. WCC 55.750 expressly bars finding a dog dangerous or vicious "based solely on the dog's breed," and instead requires proof of an unprovoked bite, an unprovoked serious injury to a person or animal, or menacing behavior on two separate occasions within 18 months, decided by an administrative hearing officer.
Washoe County Dog Law Bars Breed-Based Bans
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.750(1)(a), (4)
1.As used in this section a dog is:(a)"Dangerous" if:(1)It is so declared pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(5);(2)Without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, it behaved menacingly, to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend themselves against substantial bodily harm or defend their animal against serious injury, when the dog was:(i)Off the premises of its owner o...
Exotic Pets
Washoe County makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, or feed a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, or other high-risk rabies-vector species on private property, under WCC 55.645. That ban is separate from the county's tiered exotic animal permit system at WCC 55.650, which lets regional animal services license select non-native species, from servals to bears, but only after an inspection, a liability policy from $25,000 to $250,000, and neighbor notice.
Washoe County Bans Keeping High-Risk Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsWCC 55.645
1.Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2:(a)A person shall not intentionally keep, harbor or in any way care for, maintain lodge or feed on private property, a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote, or any other high-risk transmitters of rabies as defined by the health authority.(b)Any person violating the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall, upon request of the rabies contr...
Wildlife Feeding
Washoe County prohibits keeping, harboring or feeding high-risk rabies vectors -- bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes -- on private property. Feeding these animals can force their relinquishment to authorities. Nevada also discourages feeding big game to protect public safety.
Wildlife feeding rules in Washoe County
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.645(1)(a)
A person shall not intentionally keep, harbor or in any way care for, maintain lodge or feed on private property, a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote, or any other high-risk transmitters of rabies as defined by the health authority.(b)Any person violating the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall, upon request of the rabies control authority and the division of wildlife of the s...
Pet Limits
In congested areas of unincorporated Washoe County, keeping more than five dogs or seven cats over four months old for more than 30 days in any six-month span requires a variance permit under WCC 55.390. Regional animal services inspects the property, requires fencing or an indoor enclosure sized to the pack, and can deny, condition, or revoke the permit after an administrative hearing.
Washoe County Caps Households at 5 Dogs, 7 Cats
Significant RestrictionsWCC 55.390
Except as provided in section 55.430, it is unlawful for a person(s) to keep more than five dogs and/or more than seven cats over four months of age, for more than 30 days in a six-month period, at any place or residence within a congested area without a variance permit issued in accordance with sections 55.400 to 55.420, inclusive. For purposes of this chapter, a dog or cat over four months of...
Cat Rules
Cats are exempt from Washoe County's dog leash and at-large rules, so they may roam. However, unspayed female cats may not be allowed to run at large while in season, and keeping more than seven adult cats requires a cattery permit. Rabies vaccination is required statewide.
Cat rules and licensing in Washoe County
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.465
It is unlawful for the owner or any person having the control or possession of any unspayed female dog or cat to suffer or permit the dog or cat to run at large within any area of the county while the dog or cat is in the copulating season.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Washoe County does not require spay or neuter for pets generally, but a dog formally declared dangerous or vicious must be sterilized within 30 days of that declaration, with proof filed with Regional Animal Services as part of a registration package that also includes a bond or insurance.
Spay/Neuter Required for Dangerous Dogs
Significant RestrictionsWCC 55.760(1)(e)
1.The owner or keeper of a dog that has been declared to be dangerous or vicious pursuant to section 55.750 must comply with the following registration requirements: ... (e)Spay or neuter. Spay or neuter the dog within 30 days of declaration and provide proof to regional animal services.
Pet Store Rules
Washoe County does not ban retail pet sales or require pet stores to be adoption-only. Instead, any pet store, kennel or boarding facility must hold an annually renewed commercial animal welfare permit from Regional Animal Services and meet specific health, isolation and sale conditions before offering a dog or cat.
Pet Store Welfare Permits in Washoe County
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.010; WCC 55.455
"Commercial animal establishment" means any pet store, kennel or boarding facility used for the business of buying, selling or boarding animals. ... 1.Commercial animal establishments must obtain a welfare permit from regional animal services.(a)No commercial animal welfare permit may be transferred or assigned between persons, between commercial animal establishments, or between a person and a...
Animal Ordinances by City in Washoe County
1 cities in Washoe County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washoe County ordinances
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