How Many Pets (Dogs/Cats) Can You Own in Vermont?

Vermont, like many other states, has no statewide law restricting the number of pets you can have. However, your city or county may have its own restrictions. In other words, the maximum number of cats or dogs you can have depends on where you live in Vermont. And based on my research, most Vermont municipalities don't restrict the number of pets residents can own.

Even if your city or town has no pet limit law, your landlord or HOA may have their own rules. For example, in a Cathedral Square apartment, no more than 2 household pets are allowed. Of the two household pets, no more than one may be a dog. This means you can keep 1 cat and 1 dog in a Cathedral Square apartment. Winooski Housing Authority allows 1 common household pet, which must be registered with the Housing Authority.

Are there any dog breeds banned or restricted in Vermont?

Vermont state doesn’t have a breed-specific legislation (BSL) that bans or restricts any specific dog breeds. However, unlike some states including Florida and New York, Vermont doesn't prohibit its municipalities from enacting their own breed-specific laws. Nevertheless, as of the time of this article, no breed of dog is banned or restricted by any Vermont municipality.

However, wolf-dog hybrids are restricted in some Vermont towns. A wolf-dog hybrid isn't a breed of dog. It is a cross between a pure wolf and a domestic dog. A wolf-dog hybrid is 50% wild and 50% domestic, which makes their temperament unpredictable. Wolf-dog hybrids are legal to own in many Vermont municipalities, provided certain requirements are met.

Many Vermont towns have vicious dog laws, which, unlike BSL, do not target a specific breed of dog. A dog of any breed can be declared vicious and restricted accordingly if it has a known propensity to attack without being provoked.