Animal Ordinances in Yavapai County, AZ (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yavapai County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Yavapai County lets homeowners keep up to eight chickens per lot as an accessory use under the R1L zoning district, so long as the coop sits at least fifteen feet from every property line and no rooster is kept. Lots of at least 70,000 square feet fall under the county's general Allowed Animal Chart instead, which sets chicken density at eight birds per acre.
Yavapai County Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Zoning Ordinance § 410.G.1 (R1L District), with the general Allowed Animal Chart at § 501.D
1. Farm animals on lots of no less than seventy thousand (70,000) square feet for the convenience and pleasure of the lot occupants, not to exceed the number allowed as per the Allowed Animal Chart (Section 501 E.) except swine shall not exceed five (5) total per parcel. Stables, barns, or structures for sheltering or feeding animals must observe the same setbacks or yards as the dwelling unit....
Wildlife Feeding
Yavapai County Ordinance No. 2025-14 makes it a civil violation to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feed, attract or entice wildlife anywhere in the unincorporated county outside tribal land. Fines run up to $300 for a first bear, mountain lion, coyote or javelina confrontation where a person fails to secure attractant food, and up to $200 for repeat intentional violations.
Yavapai County Unlawful Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsYavapai County Ordinance No. 2025-14, §§ II, III(4), IV
A person commits unlawful feeding of wildlife by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feeding, attracting or otherwise enticing wildlife into an area. ... This Ordinance does not prohibit ... Feeding of tree squirrels or birds, placed in a manner or location that makes it unavailable to other wildlife. ... If a person, after an initial contact with a law enforcement officer regarding a confro...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Yavapai County's C2 Commercial District, veterinary clinics and hospitals are a permitted use if the building stays under 3,000 square feet and treats only pets and other animals under 100 pounds. Overnight boarding tied to treatment is capped at half the building's floor area and must be soundproofed or 300 feet from any neighboring parcel.
Yavapai County Vet Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Zoning Ordinance § 421.P (C2 District)
P. Veterinary clinics and hospitals for the diagnosis and treatment of household pets and other small animals under one hundred (100) pounds, entirely within an enclosed building not exceeding three thousand (3,000) square feet. Boarding of animals incidental to their diagnosis or treatment shall be permitted provided that: 1. The boarding area is entirely within the same building as the clinic...
Bird Protection
Yavapai County's Solar Facilities ordinance, Section 608(D)(4)(e), forces commercial solar projects to leave Audubon-designated Important Bird Areas undisturbed within the project site unless the Board of Supervisors grants a waiver.
Yavapai County Solar Siting Bird Protection
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Planning and Zoning Ordinance § 608(D)(4)(e)(2)
e. Restricted Locations: The following locations within the Project Area must remain in an undisturbed condition unless a waiver is granted as described in subsection D.4. ... (2) Locations that conflict with or have potential significant negative impacts on Special Status Species and their habitats, other special wildlife designations such as Critical Habitat and Important Bird Areas, identifi...
Animal Ordinances by City in Yavapai County
1 cities in Yavapai County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Yavapai County ordinances
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