Arlington Animal Laws

The following highlights the Arlington County laws/ordinances relating to pets. To review a complete list of all Arlington County ordinances please visit the Arlington County Code Web site.

Leash Laws

When off their owner's property, all dogs in Arlington must be leashed and under control of the owner or another responsible person. The only exception to this law is if the dog is in a county-sanctioned, off-lead dog exercise area.

Waste Removal

Known as the pooper-scooper law, this ordinance requires Arlington dog owners to remove and dispose of feces that their dogs have deposited on public areas or another person's property.

Barking Dogs

In Arlington it is unlawful for any animal or bird to create a frequent or continued noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a nearby dwelling unit. This law does not fall under the animal ordinances, but under the nuisance laws of Arlington County and is legally a matter for the police.

What you can do

We recommend that you discuss the problem with your neighbor before calling the police or the League; often the owner is not aware that his dog is disturbing you. If you can't solve the problem directly with your neighbor, we will try to help.

What we can't do

Because the noise ordinance doesn't fall under animal control, the Animal Control Officers do not have the legal authority to issue citations for barking dogs.

What we can do

We do investigate all barking complaints and take action if the dog is barking because it is in physical distress. If the dog is barking out of boredom and is not in physical distress, an Animal Control Officer will post a notice asking the owner to contact the Animal Control Office to discuss the problem and leave a brochure with information on barking dogs with the owner. If the barking continues after we have talked to the owner, there is nothing more that we are allowed to do. We recommend that you file a complaint with the County Magistrate's office. You can also call the following offices:

• Police Dispatch (non-emergency) - for barking problems between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am: 703-558-2222
• Magistrate's Office: 703-228-3960

Dog Licenses

All dogs four months or older living in Arlington County must be licensed by the County government. The dog must wear the license at all times.

What you need

1. To get a license, you must provide proof that your dog has a current rabies vaccination. Virginia state law requires that all dogs (and cats) be vaccinated at four months. The shelter offers low-cost rabies vaccinations for $10 at clinics held eight times a year. Please see the rabies clinic schedule (above, right) for dates and times.
2. You must also submit a license application. Licenses are valid for one year or three years depending on when the rabies vaccination expires. The County will send you a renewal notice at the proper time.

Where to apply

1. Licenses are only issued by the Arlington County Treasurer's Office, not the League. You can print a pet license application here or apply in person at the Treasurer's Office.
2. You can get an application from the League and mail it, along with the rabies certificate and payment, to the Treasurer's Office. They will mail the license tag to you.
3. You can submit the application at the League, where it will be held until a county representative picks it up. Applications left with us are picked up irregularly, so expect the process to take longer if you choose this method.

Dog Housing Minimum Requirements

The Arlington animal shelter and Animal Control often receive calls from concerned citizens about dogs that are left outside. We welcome these calls and will do our best to educate owners on the dangers pets may face when left outside. Animal Control Officers are able to enforce the County's minimum requirements for animal housing. The minimum requirements, as set by County code, state the following:

1. All animals must be supplied with sufficient, good and wholesome food and water as often as the feeding habits of such animals require.
2. All animals shall be provided a proper enclosure as its quarters which shall have clean, dry bedding, floors elevated at least four (4) inches from the ground and all sides enclosed including the front. All animals, animal quarters and primary enclosures shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and adequate ventilation shall be maintained.
3. Proper shelter and protection from the weather shall be provided at all times. Animals must not be overcrowded nor exposed to excessive heat or cold. Proper temperature for the well-being of animals shall be maintained at all times.
4. Every reasonable precaution shall be used to ensure that animals are not teased, abused, mistreated, annoyed, tormented or in any manner made to suffer by any person or by any means.
5. No condition shall be maintained or permitted to exist that is, or could be, injurious to the animals.
6. Animals must be maintained in quarters so constructed as to prevent their escape. The owner assumes full responsibility for recapturing any animal that escapes from his premises. All reasonable precautions shall be taken to protect the public from the animals and the animals from the public.
7. Animal bedding shall be sufficient in size and quantity and shall be kept clean.
8. Sick or diseased animals shall be isolated from healthy animals at all times, so segregated that the illness or disease shall not be transmitted to another animal, and shall not be sold.

Rabies Vaccinations

All cats and dogs over the age of four months are required to have current rabies vaccination. For more information on the rabies vaccination and our low-cost clinics please visit our rabies vaccination information page.


All county animal ordinances

For a copy of the Arlington County Animal Ordinances, click here or call the League at 703-931-9241 x200.