In most New Mexico cities, 5 animals are allowed per household without a permit. You can determine the number of pets allowed per household in your area of residence by searching for your city's animal ordinance online. Alternatively, you can contact your local animal control office. To give you some ideas, I've listed below a few New Mexico cities and their pet limit laws.
1. Albuquerque, NM
The city of Albuquerque's municipal code limits each household to 6 companion animals. Of the 6 companion animals, no more than 4 can be dogs. This means that the maximum number of dogs allowed per residence in Albuquerque is 4. All 6 companion animals, however, can be cats. A Multiple Companion Animal Site Permit is required to have more than 6 pets in the city. In addition to dogs and cats, you can have a maximum of 15 rabbits in the same household.
2. Las Cruces, NM
In Las Cruces, NM, you may own 3 pets without a permit or kennel license. A residential multi-animal site permit is required to exceed this limit. With this permit, you can have a maximum of 7 pets. To obtain the permit, you need to file an application with the Las Cruces Animal Control, describing your location and the purpose for which you need the permit. For more info, contact the City of Las Cruces Animal Control at (575) 541-2000.
3. Rio Rancho, NM
The city of Rio Rancho's Municipal Code allows households to have no more than 5 dogs, cats, pygmy goats, or rabbits in any combination. In other words, each household in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is limited to 5 pets. This restriction, however, does not apply to dogs, cats, pygmy goats, or rabbits under the age of 6 months. The city code makes it unlawful to allow your pets to unreasonably disturb the peace of the city's inhabitants. All cats over 5 months of age must be sterilized, as required by the city code. The same requirement applies to all dogs over 6 months of age in the city.
4. Roswell, NM
The City of Roswell's municipal code allows for up to 5 dogs or cats, or any combination of both animals, to be kept on any premises or in any dwelling unit within the city. The city code requires that all dogs and cats be inoculated against rabies and be microchipped. To own more than 5 dogs or cats, or any combination thereof, you must first obtain an applicable permit from animal services.
5. Farmington, NM
Dog owners in Farmington, NM, are allowed up to 3 dogs. Cat owners, on the other hand, are allowed up to 5 cats. The same restriction applies to other cities in San Juan County, New Mexico as well. A San Juan County Kennel License is required to keep more than 3 dogs or 5 cats in Farmington. To be granted a Kennel License, your premises must first be inspected and approved by an animal control officer. To arrange for an inspection of your premises, contact San Juan County Animal Control at (505) 334-6622. If your facility is approved, the officer will sign your application, which you will need to bring to the County Clerk's Office and pay a fee to obtain the license.
6. Hobbs, NM
In the city of Hobbs, NM, you're allowed no more than a combined total of 5 dogs and cats. If you intend to exceed this limit, you must obtain a multiple animal site permit. Under the multiple animal site permit, a maximum of 15 dogs or cats or any combination thereof is allowed to be kept. The city's municipal code requires all dogs and cats at a multiple animal site to be licensed, sterilized, and have current vaccinations.
7. Clovis, NM
Each household in Clovis, NM, is limited to a combined total of 4 dogs and cats in any combination. Per the city's Animal Services, license tags and rabies vaccination are required for all dogs. The city also has a Leash Law, requiring all dogs to be leashed when off their owner's premises.
Pet number restrictions in other New Mexico municipalities
- South Valley, NM - 4 dogs or cats
- Gallup, NM - 4 dogs or cats
- Los Lunas, NM - 2 dogs or cats
- Sunland Park, NM - Up to 6 dogs or 6 cats, depending on lot size
- Deming, NM - No more than 4 pets per residence
- Portales, NM - No more than 4 dogs or cats
- Española, NM - No more than four animals
- Socorro, NM - Up to 10 dogs or cats
