Sioux Falls, SD Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Sioux Falls does not have a stand-alone 'animal hoarding' criminal ordinance. Instead, the city addresses hoarding through three overlapping mechanisms. (1) Section 90.015 (Number of Pets Limited): it is unlawful to keep more than four domestic pets over the age of six months — excluding birds and fish — on any lot or premises in the city. Animals under six months (puppies, kittens) are exempted, so litters are allowed until weaned and placed. Animal shelters, veterinary offices, and retail pet stores are exempt. To exceed the four-pet cap, the resident must obtain a kennel conditional use permit through the Planning Department. (2) Section 90.005 (Cruelty to Animals; Right of Entry) authorizes Sioux Falls Animal Control to enter and inspect premises where cruelty or neglect is suspected. (3) State criminal backstop: SDCL § 40-1-2.4 makes intentional cruelty (gross physical abuse, prolonged pain, serious injury, or death) a Class 6 felony, and SDCL Chapter 40-1 covers neglect — failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, or veterinary care. Most hoarding prosecutions in Sioux Falls are charged as misdemeanor neglect under SDCL 40-1 plus municipal pet-limit violations, with animals seized under § 90.005's right-of-entry authority.