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Scott 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
Preempted statewide
State Law
Minn. Stat. Sec. 347.51, subd. 8
Local Rules
Behavior-based only
Pit Bulls
Not banned here
Insurers/Landlords
May still restrict

Summary

Minnesota bars cities and counties from regulating dangerous dogs by breed. Under Section 347.51, no breed-specific ordinance is valid, so Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Scott County regulate dangerous dogs by behavior. No pit bull ban exists here.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Scott 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.

Source: Minnesota StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Contrary to a common misconception, Minnesota preempts breed-specific legislation for dangerous dogs. Minnesota Statutes Section 347.51, subdivision 8 states that a city or county may not adopt an ordinance regulating dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs based solely on the specific breed, and any inconsistent ordinance is void. So Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, Jordan, and unincorporated Scott County cannot ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any breed; they regulate individual dogs by conduct under the state dangerous-dog law. Landlords and homeowners' insurers may still impose their own breed conditions, which the statute does not reach.

Violations & Fines

Failing to meet a dangerous-dog order, such as secure confinement, muzzling, insurance, or registration, brings impoundment, escalating fines, and in serious cases criminal liability under the state framework and local ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pit bulls banned in Scott County?
No. Minnesota Statute 347.51 bars cities and counties from regulating dogs by breed, so Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and the county regulate dangerous dogs by behavior instead.
Could my city add a breed ban later?
No. Section 347.51 makes any breed-specific dangerous-dog ordinance void, so a city could not lawfully adopt one. Landlords and insurers, though, may set their own breed rules.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Scott County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome Restrictions

All Scott County rules

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

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