Carver County, MN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Lots under 1.5 acres
- Pets plus 10 or fewer fowl
- 1.5 to under 2.4 acres
- 1 animal unit permitted
- 2.4 to 5 acres
- 1 animal unit per acre
- Over 5 to 20 acres
- Limited only by Chapter 54/feedlot rules
- New feedlot CUP trigger
- 50+ animal units on under 40 acres
Summary
Carver County caps backyard fowl and livestock by lot size in the Agriculture District. Lots under 1.5 acres get ten or fewer fowl (not counted as livestock) plus customary pets; larger lots scale up to one animal unit per acre.
Animal density regulations. These regulations apply to lots of less than 20 acres unless otherwise regulated by this chapter or the county feedlot management regulations. A manure-handling plan may be required when there are any domestic animals other than customary household pets. (1) On lots of less than 1.5 acres, only dogs, cats, and other animals customarily kept as pets, are permitted. Ten or fewer fowl shall be permitted and not considered livestock. (2) On parcels of at least 1.5 acres, but less than 2.4 acres, one animal unit is permitted. (3) On parcels of 2.4 to 5 acres, one animal unit per acre is permitted, with the number of acres rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-20: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 111-2025, passed 7-25-25).
Full Breakdown
071(H) of the Carver County Code of Ordinances sets animal density regulations that apply to lots of less than 20 acres, unless a separate rule in Chapter 152 or the county's feedlot management regulations (Chapter 54) governs instead. 5 acres, only dogs, cats and other animals customarily kept as pets are permitted, and ten or fewer fowl are allowed without being counted as livestock, meaning a small residential lot can keep a modest backyard flock without triggering feedlot rules. 4 acres, one animal unit is permitted.
4 to 5 acres, the allowance rises to one animal unit per acre, rounding the acreage up to the nearest whole number. On lots larger than 5 acres and up to 20 acres, the number of animal units is limited only by Chapter 54's feedlot provisions, this chapter, and other applicable county ordinances, effectively removing the density cap. Dogs, cats and other customary pets are exempt from these density counts at any lot size. A manure-handling plan may be required whenever domestic animals beyond customary pets are kept, and on any parcel where a feedlot certificate is not required, manure must still be handled in an environmentally sound, nuisance-free manner under Minn. Rules Chapter 7020 and Chapter 54 of the county code. 071(F).
Violations & Fines
Keeping more animals than the applicable density tier allows, or operating without a required feedlot conditional use permit under Section 152.071(F), is enforced as a zoning violation under Section 152.999: a misdemeanor prosecuted by the County Attorney, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense, and remedies that include stop-work orders, notices of violation and corrective-action orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many backyard chickens can I keep on a small lot in Carver County?
Does keeping a dog or cat count against my animal unit limit?
Do I need a feedlot permit to keep livestock in Carver County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carver County
How Carver County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Carver County to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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