Dog Limit Per Household by State 2026

States With a Statewide Dog Limit

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia set a statewide limit on the number of dogs a household can own: Washington, Louisiana, Tennessee, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Iowa, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Delaware, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Montana.

Limits range from 2 dogs in Montana to 50 dogs in Washington before kennel classification applies. Most states cap ownership between 3 and 6 dogs, though some allow higher limits with permits or based on factors like property size.

States With No Statewide Dog Limit

Thirty-six states do not set a statewide limit on the number of dogs a household can own: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

In these states, limits are typically set at the county or city level, where local ordinances often restrict households to around 2 to 6 dogs depending on location and zoning.