How Many Domesticated Animals May I Own?

Per City Ordinance 205.230, if you are not licensed to operate a kennel, you may only own three (3) dogs, four (4) cats, or four (4) other domestic animals or a combination not to exceed ten (10). 

If you are wishing to obtain a permit for a noncommercial kennel or cattery, review the full ordinance below and then click on the green application link and complete and submit the form. Those wishing to obtain a permit, will have an initial inspection of their facility upon submission of the application and payment. Additional inspections may be conducted throughout the year, as needed, as outlined in Section 2, subsection B. in the below ordinance.

The full ordinance reads:

Sec. 205.230. – Number of animals limited.

(1) It is unlawful for any owner or controlling party who is not running a licensed kennel to possess more than three dogs or four cats or four other domestic animals over the age of six months that are legal to be possessed in the city. The total number of domestic animals over the age of six months allowed to be owned, controlled or residing upon a given contiguous property shall not exceed ten. This section shall apply to farm animals.

(2) Noncommercial kennel or cattery. No person shall maintain a noncommercial kennel or cattery within the City without a license therefore. Applications for said license shall be submitted to the Chief of Police or his/her designee who will be responsible for an investigation of the applicant’s proposed activities, the facilities available, and the potential for negative neighborhood impact. The Chief of Police or his/her designee will grant licenses to approved applicants for the period of one calendar year upon payment of an annual fee.     A. Noncommercial kennels or catteries shall pay an annual fee of $10. The number of dogs or cats to be kept in any noncommercial kennel or cattery shall not exceed five. License applications may be denied by the Chief of Police or his/her designee if historical records indicate a failure of the applicant to provide adequate and/or humane facilities, if animals or premises are deemed to be a nuisance, or the applicant has failed to comply with other provisions of this code in the past one year or until the number of animals is reduced naturally through attrition to three dogs or four cats. After which time the licensee shall maintain no more than three dogs or four cats. Noncommercial kennel or cattery licenses shall only be allowed under the following circumstances:

1. An applicant moves to the city from a jurisdiction that allows more than three dogs or four cats per residence, or
2. An applicant has a relative or family member take up residence and brings existing animals which increase the number to greater than three dogs or four cats, or
3. An applicant has an immediate family member who has become infirmed and in need of placement of existing animals whose addition increases the number to greater than three dogs or four cats, or
4. An applicant has an immediate family member who has received a military assignment and in need of placement of existing animals whose addition increases the number to greater than three dogs or four cats.

     B. The facilities maintained by license holders under this section shall be inspected at any reasonable time, one time each year, or more often as may be necessary to ensure compliance with this code. Licenses may be revoked or suspended by the Chief of Police or his/her designee for failure of licensee to provide adequate and/or humane facilities, or if animals or premises are deemed to be a nuisance.

(3) In the event of a weather or other emergency within the City, the Mayor may declare a temporary state of emergency under which the limits on the number of animals imposed under this section shall be modified to allow an owner or controlling person who is not running a licensed kennel to possess on a temporary basis the aggregate number of up to ten dogs, cats or other domestic animals over the age of six months that are legal to be possessed in the city. The total number of domestic animals over the age of six months allowed to be owned, controlled or residing upon a given contiguous property shall still not exceed ten. Such a state of emergency under which the limits imposed by subsection (1) of this section are modified shall not last longer than thirty (30) days unless approved by the board of aldermen.