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50 State Directory

Pet Ordinances by State

Dog ownership laws vary across the US. Find leash laws, licensing requirements, breed-specific legislation, and pet limits for your state and county.

6

Statewide Leash Laws

18

State Licensing Required

18

BSL Preempted

View Fines by State
Showing 50 of 50 states

Alabama(AL)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Alaska(AK)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Arizona(AZ)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Arkansas(AR)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

California(CA)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

3

Colorado(CO)

Mixed

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Connecticut(CT)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Delaware(DE)

No BSL

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Florida(FL)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

3

Georgia(GA)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Hawaii(HI)

No BSL

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Idaho(ID)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Illinois(IL)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Indiana(IN)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Iowa(IA)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Kansas(KS)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Kentucky(KY)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Louisiana(LA)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Maine(ME)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Maryland(MD)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Massachusetts(MA)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Michigan(MI)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Minnesota(MN)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Mississippi(MS)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Missouri(MO)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Montana(MT)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Nebraska(NE)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Nevada(NV)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

New Hampshire(NH)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

New Jersey(NJ)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

New Mexico(NM)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

New York(NY)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

North Carolina(NC)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

North Dakota(ND)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Ohio(OH)

Mixed

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Oklahoma(OK)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Oregon(OR)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Pennsylvania(PA)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Statewide

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Rhode Island(RI)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

South Carolina(SC)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

South Dakota(SD)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Tennessee(TN)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Texas(TX)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

4

Utah(UT)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Vermont(VT)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Virginia(VA)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

2

Washington(WA)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

West Virginia(WV)

Local BSL Exists

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Wisconsin(WI)

BSL Preempted

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Required

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Wyoming(WY)

No BSL

Leash Law

Local Only

Licensing

Local Only

Dangerous Dog Law

Yes

Notable Counties

1

Understanding Pet Ordinances

Leash Laws

Laws requiring dogs to be on a leash in public areas. Some states have statewide leash laws while others leave it to local jurisdictions.

BSL Preemption

Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) targets specific breeds. States with "BSL preemption" prohibit local governments from banning specific breeds, focusing on individual dog behavior instead.

Dog Licensing

Many states require dog owners to license their dogs annually, typically requiring proof of rabies vaccination. Licensing helps return lost pets and funds animal services.

Dangerous Dog Laws

Laws that establish procedures for declaring dogs dangerous based on behavior (bites, attacks). Owners of declared dangerous dogs typically face registration, confinement, and insurance requirements.

Know the Fines Before You Go

Pet violation fines vary widely by state and city. Unleashed dog fines range from $25 to $500+, and breed violations can carry penalties of $250 to $1,000+.

View Fines by State

Important Disclaimer

Verify with Local Authorities: Pet ordinances change frequently. Always verify current laws with your local animal control, city clerk, or municipal government.

Not Legal Advice: This directory is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult local authorities for specific requirements.

Information Sources: Compiled from publicly available state statutes and municipal codes. Last updated 2026. PawCost is not affiliated with any government agency.