🐐 Goats & Sheep — Arizona Regulations
Pull up a porch chair, neighbor. Goats and sheep are where Arizona's livestock laws start to show their ranching roots. The rules are straightforward once you know them — and most small homesteaders are surprised by how manageable they are.
Goats and sheep are classified as livestock under Arizona law, which means they fall under the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) and the USDA's National Scrapie Eradication Program. The good news is that for personal use, the requirements are minimal. The moment you start selling or moving animals off your property, a few key steps kick in.
🌱 Personal Use — Slaughter on Your Property
Under A.R.S. 3-2011, you can slaughter goats and sheep on your own property for personal household consumption without a commercial slaughter license. However, because they are classified as livestock, one step is required even for personal use:
The Hide Inspection
After slaughter, you must retain the whole hide until an AZDA Livestock Officer inspects and marks it. This confirms ownership and prevents livestock theft — a serious concern in Arizona's ranching communities. Once inspected, the officer stamps the meat NOT FOR SALE if it is leaving your property.
- No slaughter permit required
- Hide must be retained for AZDA officer inspection
- No limit on how many you can process for personal household use
- Call AZDA Livestock Dispatch to schedule: 602-542-4293
💡 High Desert Tip: If you are off-grid in Northeast Arizona, call the Pinetop or Show Low AZDA regional office first — they can often coordinate a faster inspection visit than routing through Phoenix.
🏷️ Scrapie Tags — The Non-Negotiable
The National Scrapie Eradication Program requires that ALL sheep and goats be officially identified before they leave your property for any reason — sale, show, vet visit, or transport to a butcher.
What You Need
- Premises ID (PIN): Register your property with the AZDA for free at agriculture.az.gov. You cannot order official tags without a PIN.
- Scrapie Tag: A USDA-approved plastic ear tag showing your Flock ID number. First-time participants can get up to 100 tags free by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG.
- Alternative: A legible Registry Tattoo accompanied by registration papers is also accepted.
When Tags Are Required
- Any time the animal leaves your property — even to a neighbor or a vet
- Before sale, show, or transport to a butcher
- Bottle babies born on your farm need a tag before they leave, even if they arrived without one
💡 Free Tags: Call 1-866-USDA-TAG to set up your Flock ID and receive your first 100 plastic Scrapie tags at no cost. The applicator tool is your only expense.
💰 Selling Goats and Sheep
Selling Live Animals
- Animal must have a valid Scrapie Tag before leaving your property
- A Brand Inspection is required before sale in Arizona — fee is $0.05 per head for sheep and goats
- Provide the buyer with a Bill of Sale that includes your name, their name, the animal description, tag number, and date
- Under 2026 HB 2334, if selling at retail you must disclose mRNA vaccine status and medication history
Selling Processed Meat — Custom Exempt Path
The most common path for small homesteaders selling goat or lamb meat is the Custom Exempt model:
- Sell the live animal to the buyer first — ownership must transfer while the animal is still alive
- Then provide the butchering as a service
- All meat must be stamped NOT FOR SALE
- No USDA or state inspection of the carcass is required
- Meat can only be consumed by the owner, their household, and their non-paying guests
Selling Inspected Meat (Retail)
To sell processed goat or lamb meat directly at retail — farmers markets, restaurants, or your Shopify store — you need a state-inspected facility with a Grant of Inspection from the AZDA. This requires a full facility walk-through and daily inspector presence during slaughter.
🥛 Selling Goat Milk
Arizona allows raw goat milk sales for human consumption, but you must be a licensed dairy with the AZDA. There is no one-goat exemption for retail sales. Every container must carry the warning: Raw milk — not pasteurized and may contain organisms injurious to your health.
For personal use and sharing with non-paying guests, no dairy license is required.
📋 Quick Reference
| Goal | Permit or Tag Required? | Inspection? | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal slaughter on property | No permit | Hide inspection by AZDA officer | Retain hide until inspected |
| Move animal off property | Scrapie Tag required | No | Tag must be in ear before leaving |
| Sell live animal | Scrapie Tag + Brand Inspection | Brand Inspection $0.05 per head | Bill of Sale + 2026 HB 2334 disclosure |
| Custom Exempt meat sale | No permit | No carcass inspection | Sell live animal first, stamp NOT FOR SALE |
| Retail meat sales | AZDA Grant of Inspection | Daily inspector required | Full inspected facility required |
| Sell raw goat milk | AZDA Dairy License | Yes | Raw milk warning label required |
Official Resources
- USDA Scrapie Program Overview
- AZDA Livestock Identification and Brand Inspection
- AZDA Premises ID Registration (Free)
- A.R.S. 3-2011 — Custom Slaughter Exemption
- AZDA Meat and Poultry Inspection Portal
- AZDA Dairy Licensing Information
- Arizona HB 2334 — 2026 mRNA and Labeling Law
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to butcher a goat on my Arizona homestead?
No permit is required to slaughter a goat for personal household use. However, you must retain the whole hide until an AZDA Livestock Officer inspects and marks it. Call AZDA Livestock Dispatch at 602-542-4293 to schedule the inspection.
Do all my goats need Scrapie tags?
Yes. All sheep and goats must be officially identified with a USDA-approved Scrapie Tag before they leave your property for any reason including sale, shows, vet visits, or transport to a butcher. Your first 100 tags are free by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG after registering your Premises ID with the AZDA.
Can I sell goat meat without a USDA inspection in Arizona?
Yes, using the Custom Exempt model. Sell the live goat to the buyer first so ownership transfers while the animal is alive. Then butcher it as a service. All meat must be stamped NOT FOR SALE and can only be consumed by the owner and their household. No carcass inspection is required under this model.
Can I sell raw goat milk in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona is one of the few states where raw milk sales for human consumption are legal. However, you must hold an AZDA Dairy License. There is no one-goat exemption for retail sales. Every container must carry the warning that the milk is not pasteurized and may contain organisms injurious to health.
What is a Brand Inspection and do I need one to sell a goat?
A Brand Inspection is an AZDA verification of livestock ownership before a sale or transport. For goats and sheep the fee is $0.05 per head. It is required before selling any goat or sheep in Arizona. The inspector checks the animal against your Scrapie Tag and any brand or earmark records.
Does the 2026 HB 2334 labeling law apply to goat meat sales?
Yes. If you are selling goat or lamb meat at retail in 2026, Arizona HB 2334 requires you to disclose the mRNA vaccine status, country of origin, and medication history of the animal. Custom Exempt meat stamped NOT FOR SALE is not subject to these retail labeling requirements.
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