How Many Dogs or Cats Can You Have in Idaho?

The number of cats or dogs you can legally own in the state of Idaho depends on your city or county's animal ordinance. That's because there is no state-wide limit on the number of pets each household can have. Instead, each municipality is tasked with creating its own regulations. While some cities allow up to five pets per household, others allow no more than four pets. As pet ownership laws vary by city, it's important to check your with local animal control before keeping more than three animals. Take the number of cats and dogs allowed per residence in the following Idaho cities for example.

Boise City, ID

Boise City Code allows no more than four dogs per household. If you're a cat person, you can own up to five cats in the City, according to the City Code. Households wherein both cats and dogs are kept are limited four animals in total. For example, you can have 2 cats and 2 dogs or any combination of both not totaling more than four in the same household. To exceed these limits, you need to obtain a noncommercial kennel license. Under this license, a maximum of ten dogs, cats, or any combination of both not exceeding a total of ten is allowed. The issuance of the license is subject to property inspection and written approval of 75% of all property owners within 100 feet of the premises on which the noncommercial kennel is to be maintained.

Meridian, ID

In Meridian, Idaho, there is a limit of three dogs per residence, according to Title 6, Chapter 2, Sec. 6-2-8 of Meridian's municipal code. This restriction does not apply to puppies under six months of age kept at a single location with their mother. All dogs in the city are required to constantly wear a valid City of Meridian Dog License Tag on a collar or harness. As per the City Code, a fraudulent display of a dog license tag constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300 and 90 days in jail. The Meridian City Code does not impose a limit on the number of cats you can have, however, the Ada County Code allows no more than four cats per premises.

Nampa, ID

In the City of Nampa, there is no limit to how many cats you may own. Dog owners, on the other hand, are limited to two dogs per household. This limitation, according to the Nampa City Code, is not applicable to dogs under the age of six months. You will have to apply for and obtain a Kennel License to own more than two dogs in the City of Nampa. Potbellied pigs may also be kept as pets in the city, however, the aggregate number of pigs and dogs should not exceed two, unless a conditional use permit is obtained.

According to Nampa Zoning 10-21-3, certain agricultural animals are allowed as pets in addition to the number of dogs (or potbellied pigs), regardless of lot size. For example, in addition to the number of dogs, you can have one miniature horse or pygmy goat.

Caldwell, ID

The City of Caldwell's zoning code allows three dogs and as many as five cats per household. In addition to cats or dogs, you can have one pygmy goat or one potbellied pig. However, no household is allowed to have more than three different types of pets. For example, you may have cats, dogs, and a pygmy goat. But you can not have cats, dogs, a pygmy goat, and a potbellied pig.

Idaho Falls, ID

As a dog owner, you're limited to two dogs per household in the City of Idaho Falls, according to the City's Dog Control Ordinance. The City offers an Annual Additional Dog Permit, under which you can own a maximum of five dogs. You can apply to the City Clerk for the permit, the issuance of which is subject to property inspection by a City animal control officer. Your application will be summarily denied if the animal control officer reports back to the Clerk that there is an immediate danger to the life or health of a person because of the additional dogs. Idaho Falls does not impose a limit on the number of cats each household may have.

Pocatello, ID

A maximum of two dogs and/or five cats is allowed per household without a permit in Pocatello, Idaho. If you desire to have three or more dogs or more than five cats, you'll have to apply for and obtain a multiple-animal housing license. The application for this license requires the written consent of at least 75% of adult owners and/or occupants of all premises within 100 feet of the perimeter of your property unless such requirement is excluded by the animal services director. Under the license, each dog is required to have a dog license.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

A maximum of five dogs is permitted per parcel of real property in Coeur d'Alene, according to the Kootenai County Code. A litter of puppies may be kept with their mother until the litter reaches six months of age. Upon or before reaching six months of age, the puppies are required to be sold, given away, or humanely disposed of in some other manner so as not to exceed the limits set out under the County Code. If you desire to exceed the limit, you will have to apply for and obtain a county kennel license. Coeur D'Alene's municipal code requires that all dogs over three months of age be vaccinated. The City Code does not restrict the number of cats you may have per household.

Twin Falls, ID

No more than four dogs and four cats over the age of four months are permitted per household in residential zones within the City of Twin Falls, Idaho. To exceed these limits, you need a kennel license, which is permitted only in commercial or industrial zones within the city. Every owner of a dog six months of age or over in Twin Falls is required to obtain a dog license from the city's animal shelter. In addition, every dog owner is required to have their dog constantly wear a collar or harness to which the license tag must be affixed.