Animal Ordinances in Alaska (2026)
23 rules on the books across Alaska, 2 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Chickens & Livestock
Combined rules for keeping chickens and other livestock such as goats, rabbits, and ducks on residential property, including lot size requirements.
Alaska: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsAlaska has no statewide leash law for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, or swine: it stays open range unless a district…
Read full rule →Anchorage
Some RestrictionsAnchorage caps backyard chickens and other small animals by lot size and bans roosters and other loud fowl on smaller…
Read full rule →Matanuska Susitna Borough
Some RestrictionsBackyard chickens, gardens and other animal husbandry are a permitted accessory use inside the borough's designated…
Read full rule →Dog Leash Laws
When and where dogs must be on a leash, off-leash park rules, leash length limits, and penalties for dogs running loose.
Anchorage
Some RestrictionsAnchorage requires dogs and other animals in public places to be on a leash and under the control of a competent…
Read full rule →Matanuska Susitna Borough
Some RestrictionsMatanuska-Susitna Borough Code § 24.05.070(A) requires every animal, not just dogs, to be under continuous restraint: a…
Read full rule →Breed Restrictions
Bans or special requirements for specific dog breeds, including breed-specific legislation, muzzle requirements, and insurance mandates.
Matanuska Susitna Borough
Some RestrictionsMatanuska-Susitna Borough doesn't restrict any dog breed by name. Instead, § 24.26.010(A) classifies an animal as…
Read full rule →Anchorage
Few RestrictionsAnchorage's animal code classifies dogs as dangerous by specific bite or aggression behavior under AMC 17.40, not by…
Read full rule →Beekeeping
Rules for keeping bees in residential areas, including hive placement, number of colonies allowed, and registration requirements.
Alaska: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsAlaska imposes uniform statewide rules on bee importation, equipment, and disease control. Honey bees brought into…
Read full rule →Anchorage
Some RestrictionsAnchorage allows residential beekeeping but sets hive placement rules to keep bee flight paths off neighboring property.
Read full rule →Exotic Pets
Which non-traditional pets are allowed or banned, such as reptiles, ferrets, potbelly pigs, and other exotic animals.
Wildlife Feeding
Rules about feeding wild animals like deer, coyotes, or feral cats, and requirements for securing trash to prevent wildlife encounters.
Pet Limits
Maximum number of cats, dogs, or other companion animals allowed per household, including counts that trigger kennel-license requirements.
Alaska: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsAlaska has no standalone hoarding law. Keeping animals below the state's minimum standards of care is prosecuted as…
Read full rule →Anchorage
Some RestrictionsKeep up to three dogs and three cats without a license. Own four or more of either species, or seven or more combined…
Read full rule →Cat Rules
Rules specific to cats, outdoor roaming, feral cat colonies, leash laws (yes, some cities require them), and licensing requirements.
Anchorage
Some RestrictionsAnchorage doesn't license cats like dogs, but every cat over four months old must wear an ID tag or carry a microchip…
Read full rule →Matanuska Susitna Borough
Some RestrictionsCat licensing is optional under Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code § 24.10.010(A), but rabies vaccination is not: every cat…
Read full rule →Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Requirements that dogs and cats over a certain age be sterilized, with intact-animal permits, exemptions for breeders, and penalties for noncompliance.
Anchorage
Some RestrictionsDogs and cats over four months old adopted from Anchorage's animal shelter must be spayed or neutered, with a written…
Read full rule →Matanuska Susitna Borough
Some RestrictionsMatanuska-Susitna Borough doesn't mandate spay or neuter for every pet, but every dog or cat adopted from the animal…
Read full rule →Microchipping
Mandates that dogs and cats be microchipped before leaving a shelter or by a certain age, including registration and tag requirements.
Anchorage
Some RestrictionsAnchorage requires permanent microchip ID for any animal classified as dangerous under the animal-behavior code.
Read full rule →Matanuska Susitna Borough
Light RestrictionsMicrochipping is voluntary for owned dogs and cats under Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code § 24.10.050(C), and a…
Read full rule →Pet Store Rules
Restrictions on retail pet sales, including bans on commercially bred dogs and cats and rescue-only sourcing requirements.
Pet Groomer Rules
Health and safety standards for commercial pet grooming, including animal-handling certifications, sanitation, and zoning where mobile groomers may operate.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Where veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and emergency animal-care facilities may be located, including overnight-boarding and noise buffers.
Bird Protection
Local rules protecting specific bird species (LAMC §53.55), including penalties for trapping or harming protected species and bird-safe building design.