Plymouth, MN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 915.17, Subd. 2
- Default rule
- Cats kept Under Restraint at all times
- Grandfather exemption
- Registered by Dec. 31, 1998, spay/neuter required
- Owner liability
- Owner responsible for cat's property damage
- Enforcement
- Plymouth Police animal control officers, § 915.05
Summary
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.17 keeps cats Under Restraint just like dogs, but Subdivision 2 lets outdoor cats already living outside when the 1998 ordinance took effect stay outdoors for life if the owner registered the cat by December 31, 1998, had it spayed or neutered, and accepted liability for any property damage it causes.
Cats who are outdoor cats within the City at the time of adoption of this ordinance may be exempt from this Section of the ordinance for the lifetime of the animal by meeting the following requirements. The owner must register the cat by December 31, 1998, the cat is required to be spayed/neutered, and the owners must agree to be responsible for any damage to property done by the cat and work with victim and police to ensure solution to the problem being created.
Full Breakdown
17 of the City Code. Subdivision 1 requires every owner of a dog or cat to keep the animal Under Restraint at all times, which for a cat means the animal is not supposed to roam free within the City. Subdivision 2 then creates a narrow, one-time grandfather exemption: a cat that was already an outdoor cat within Plymouth when the ordinance was adopted could be exempted for that cat's lifetime, but only if the owner registered it with the City by December 31, 1998, had the cat spayed or neutered, and agreed to be responsible for any damage the cat does to someone else's property and to work with the victim and police to resolve any problem the cat causes.
Because the registration deadline has long passed, the Subdivision 2 exemption now only protects cats that were already registered under it decades ago; a cat obtained today has no path into that exemption. 07 the same as a dog. 19 whenever the animal is off the owner's own property.
Violations & Fines
A cat that is not Under Restraint and does not qualify for the Subdivision 2 grandfather exemption violates Section 915.17 and can be impounded by Plymouth Police animal control officers under Section 915.07. Violating the City Code is a misdemeanor under Section 2000.01, carrying a fine of up to $700.00 and up to 90 days in jail, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still register my outdoor cat for the exemption?
Do Plymouth's cat rules require spaying or neutering?
Is my cat required to be licensed in Plymouth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth
Compare Plymouth to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle cat rules.