🪪 Do I need a dog license, and how much does it cost in Mesa?
Maricopa County licenses dogs in Mesa: every dog over three months old must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies — $22 a year if spayed or neutered, $55 if not, $10 for an altered dog of an owner 65 or older.
Letting a dog off leash outside your home or backyard is a criminal offense except at a lawful dog park, and service animals follow the same rule. In city parks the leash must be physical, no longer than six feet — electronic leashes don't count.
Not covered yet: pet limits — we only publish a rule when we can link to the official page. Ask Mesa 311 or animal services.
What Arizona state law adds
Dog licenses
Yes. Arizona requires dogs 3 months and older kept in the state for 30 days or more to be licensed by the county; proof of rabies vaccination is needed.
Arizona requires a dog to be on a leash or in a car, cage or similar enclosure at a public school or park, and a female dog in heat may not be at large. Counties may ban dogs from running at large in unincorporated areas.
Arizona requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies (proof is needed for the county dog licence); state law does not set a separate requirement for cats.
General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, often every year — the official page linked under each answer is the final word. Counties and homeowner associations may add their own rules.