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Dakota County, MN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Breed bans
Illegal statewide in Minnesota
Governing law
Minn. Stat. 347.51, subd. 8
Basis for regulation
Behavior, not breed
County breed ban
None (and would be void)
Dog-park exclusion
Declared dangerous dogs only

Summary

Breed-specific bans are illegal in Minnesota. Under Minn. Stat. 347.51, subd. 8, no city or county may regulate dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs based solely on breed, and any such ordinance is void. Dakota County has no breed ban.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Dakota County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A statutory or home rule charter city, or a county, may not adopt an ordinance regulating dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs based solely on the specific breed of the dog. Ordinances inconsistent with this subdivision are void.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Minnesota law preempts breed-specific legislation. Minn. Stat. 347.51, subd. 8, states a statutory or home-rule-charter city, or a county, may not adopt an ordinance regulating dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs based solely on the specific breed of the dog, and ordinances inconsistent with that subdivision are void. So no pit-bull or other breed ban is enforceable in Dakota County or its cities. Instead, dogs are regulated by individual behavior under the dangerous/potentially-dangerous-dog framework of Minn. Stat. 347.50–347.565. The Dakota Woods off-leash dog park bars dogs declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, but that is behavior-based, not breed-based.

Violations & Fines

A breed-based local ordinance is legally void. Behavior-based dangerous-dog violations are enforced under Minn. Stat. 347.50–347.565 (registration, seizure, potential destruction).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pit bulls banned in Dakota County?
No. Minnesota prohibits breed-specific bans. Under Minn. Stat. 347.51, subd. 8, any ordinance regulating dogs based solely on breed is void, so no breed ban applies here.
How does Minnesota regulate aggressive dogs instead?
By behavior. A dog can be declared potentially dangerous or dangerous under Minn. Stat. 347.50, triggering registration, confinement, and other requirements regardless of its breed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Dakota County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsWildlife FeedingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: CompostingSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Weed OrdinancesSome Restrictions

All Dakota County rules

How Dakota County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview

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