Yes, keeping goats in Arizona cities is generally prohibited under most municipal ordinances, though rural areas may permit them. The Arizona Department of Agriculture defers to local zoning codes, which often classify goats as livestock, restricting their presence in residential zones. Exceptions exist in unincorporated areas or with special permits, but urban jurisdictions like Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa enforce strict bans.
Key Regulations for Keeping Goats in the City in Arizona
- Zoning Restrictions: Most city ordinances (e.g., Phoenix City Code § 33-16) prohibit livestock, including goats, in residential, commercial, or mixed-use zones, classifying them as nuisances under noise, odor, or sanitation codes.
- Permit Requirements: Some municipalities (e.g., Pima County) may issue conditional-use permits for small-scale goat-keeping in agricultural-residential zones, but these require compliance with setback distances (typically 100+ feet from property lines) and waste management plans.
- Health and Safety Codes: The Arizona Revised Statutes § 3-204 mandates livestock owners to prevent disease transmission; cities like Scottsdale enforce additional protocols, such as mandatory hoof-trimming records and veterinary inspections for urban goat-keepers.
Note: The 2026 update to the Arizona Livestock Board’s Urban Agriculture Guidelines may relax restrictions for micro-dairy goats (≤5 head) in select jurisdictions, but no statewide preemption exists. Always verify with the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Local Zoning Compliance Office and your city’s planning department before acquisition.