Animal Ordinances in York County, VA (2026)

York County Code §§ 24.1-271(ff)-(gg), 24.1-414(b), 24.1-414.1(b)

Keeping of horses or other livestock for personal but not commercial purposes, shall be permitted as a matter of right in the RC and RR Districts and by Special Use Permit in the R33, R20 and R13 Districts, subject in both circumstances to the Performance Standards set forth in Section No. 24.1-414 of this Chapter. ... The maximum number of horses or other livestock permitted as an accessory an...

York County Code § 4-35

(a)Is shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any dog to allow such dog to run at-large within the county at any time during any month of any year.(b)For the purpose of this section, a dog shall be deemed to run at-large while roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. Any person who permits his...

York County Code §§ 4-37, 4-37.1, 4-37.2

Dangerous dogs, as used in sections 4-37 through 4-37.6, "dog" includes a hybrid canine as defined in Code of Virginia § 3.2-6581. ... (j)No animal shall be found by the court to be a dangerous dog:(1)Solely because it is a particular breed; ... Present satisfactory evidence to the animal control officer of liability insurance coverage, to the value of at least $100,000.00 that covers animal bi...

York County Code § 24.1-271(g)

Sec. 24.1-271. - Accessory uses permitted in conjunction with residential uses. ... (g)Beekeeping provided no beehive is closer than fifty feet (50') to any dwelling on an adjacent property, or any school or place of worship. The owner shall provide a supply of water for the bees within fifty feet (50') of the hive. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the sharing of honey ...

York County Code § 4-4

Any person who causes or permits any exotic or poisonous animal to run at large may be required to pay a fee to cover the actual cost in locating, capturing and/or otherwise disposing of the animal. Actual costs in locating, capturing and/or otherwise disposing of the animal include any medical costs incurred by any county employee who is injured and/or envenomed during the process of locating,...

York County Code §§ 24.1-271(f), 24.1-417(a)-(b)

Doghouses, pens, hutches, or similar structures or enclosures, that are not within the principal structure and which are intended for the housing and confinement of household pets. The keeping of more than four (4) canines or felines over the age of six (6) months in such a structure or enclosure shall be deemed a private kennel and shall be permitted in accordance with Section No. 24.1-417, St...

York County Code § 14-27(d)

(d)Repair, personal, business and other services.(1)The repairing, renovating, cleaning or servicing of some article or item of personal property for compensation is a repair service, unless the service is specifically provided for under another section.(2)Any service rendered for compensation either upon or for persons, animals or personal effects is a personal service, unless the service is s...

York County Code § 24.1-416

(a)Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and commercial kennels located within two hundred feet (200') of a residential property line shall be within a completely enclosed building. Such building shall be adequately soundproofed and constructed so that there will be no emission of odor or noise detrimental to other properties or uses in the area.(b)All animals shall be kept in pens or other enc...

York County Code § 17-35(a)

Care of natural resources and public property. The possession, destruction, injury, defacement, removal or disturbance in any manner of any building, sign, equipment, monument, statue, marker or other structure, or of any animal or plant matter and direct or indirect products thereof, including, but not limited to, wood, bulb or annual flowers, egg, nest or nesting site, or of any soil, rock, f...