on September 10, 2026

Vermont Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Vermont has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. The highest set ticket among them is $200, in Burlington.

Why Vermont leaves it to cities

Vermont has no statewide dog waste statute. 24 V.S.A. § 2291(10) authorizes municipalities 'to regulate the keeping of dogs, and to provide for their licensing, leashing, muzzling, restraint, impoundment, and destruction.' City dog rules are usually civil ordinances heard by the state Judicial Bureau, and 24 V.S.A. § 1974a caps a civil ordinance penalty at $800 per violation. Verified 2026-09-10.

  • Municipal power to regulate the keeping, leashing and restraint of dogs: 24 V.S.A. § 2291(10) (read it)
  • Civil ordinance penalties capped at $800 per violation; Judicial Bureau jurisdiction: 24 V.S.A. § 1974a (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Vermont's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Burlington Burlington Code of Ordinances § 5-17 (Removal of dog and cat waste required); nuisance § 5-4(a)(4); penalties § 5-24 $200 No
South Burlington South Burlington Code § 6-79(a)(4) (Disturbances and nuisances); civil penalties § 6-86 $50 No
Rutland Rutland City Code § 13-2554 (Removal of Dog Waste Required); fines § 13-2555 $50 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

None of the cities we checked in Vermont spell out a separate duty to carry a bag, but the pickup duty applies the moment your dog goes, and "I did not have a bag" is not a defense in any of them.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Vermont

  • Burlington amended its animal ordinance on March 24, 2025; a first dog waste offense now carries a $200 to $250 civil fine with a $200 waiver fine (§ 5-24).
  • South Burlington's waiver fee for a first offense is $25, one-eighth of Burlington's $200 waiver fine next door (§ 6-86).
  • Vermont caps civil ordinance penalties at $800 per violation (24 V.S.A. § 1974a).

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Vermont?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Vermont?

It depends on the city. Burlington: $200. South Burlington: $50. Rutland: $50.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Vermont?

Not as a separate rule in the cities we checked. You still have to pick up, so in practice you need one.

Other states in the Northeast

New York · Pennsylvania · New Jersey · Massachusetts · Connecticut · New Hampshire · Maine · Rhode Island

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.