Apple Valley, MN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 91.06 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances governs animals within city limits, and it is the section that controls chickens and livestock. Division (B) provides that, except as otherwise provided elsewhere in the code, no person can keep or harbor any animal other than a household pet or service animal within the city. Division (D)(1) then lists animals nobody can keep, maintain or harbor, and paragraph (b) reaches farm poultry and farm animals.

There are two exceptions written by the City Council of Apple Valley, Minnesota. First, farm poultry or farm animals can be kept on property zoned for agricultural uses. Second, horses can be kept on property zoned R-1 Single Family Residential, with a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet. Nothing in that paragraph allows poultry or other livestock on residential lots.

Section 91.01 supplies the definitions. FARM POULTRY means any of the various species of domestic animals commonly kept for agricultural purposes, such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, swans and doves. FARM ANIMAL covers horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, potbellied pigs, pigs and bees. The household pet list allows birds only if they are caged or kept inside the residence, and it expressly excludes all farm poultry. Division (D)(1)(c) also prohibits any animal not defined as a household pet.

On agricultural land the code opens up. The agricultural district in § 155.020(A) permits all types of agricultural pursuits, including the keeping, raising or production of livestock, and § 155.020(C) permits stands for selling agricultural products at least in part raised on the premises. Division (D)(3) lets the City Council issue a permit of no more than 30 days for prohibited animals kept for entertainment, exhibition, show or promotional purposes only. The animal chapter as exported prints no penalty section of its own.