What are the restrictions on keeping animals?
There are limitations on the number of animals that can be kept based on the size of your lot for: dogs, livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas and other similar domesticated animals), domestic fowl (chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese), honeybees and pigeons. The Zoning Ordinance does not regulate the number of cats that can be kept. The keeping of commonly accepted pets is allowed as an accessory use on any lot, provided such pets are for personal use and enjoyment, and not for any commercial purpose. The keeping of livestock or domestic fowl is allowed as an accessory use on any lot of two (2) acres or more in size. The keeping of wild, exotic, or vicious animals is not permitted except under some limited circumstances as provided for in Chapter 41 of the Fairfax County Code. Accessory structures associated with the keeping or housing of animals are subject to certain location regulations set forth in Part 1 of Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinance.
