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Rankin County, MS Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permitted use
Grazing livestock in A-1 district
Examples listed
Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, mules
Excluded
Feedlots not covered by this use
Residential subdivisions
Livestock prohibited there (Section 416)

Summary

Rankin County, Mississippi permits raising grazing livestock, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and mules, outright in the Agricultural General (A-1) district, but bans livestock in platted residential subdivisions.

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

H. Breeding, raising, and feeding of grazing livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, mules, etc., except for feedlots as defined by this Ordinance.

I. Forestry and horticultural uses.

J. Public or private recreational or open space facilities, excluding country clubs and the like which shall be regulated as public/quasi-public facilities or utilities subject to the provisions of Section 402 of this Ordinance. All lakes associated with this or any other usage shall comply with Rankin County Subdivision Regulations.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Section 901 of the county's Zoning Ordinance lists breeding, raising and feeding of grazing livestock, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, mules and similar animals, as a use permitted outright in the Agricultural General (A-1) district, though feedlots are excluded from this by-right allowance. Separately, Section 416 bars keeping livestock on any lot within platted residential subdivisions zoned R-1, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-3, R-4, PUD, MHP, MHS or R-MX. Together the two sections put livestock on agricultural-zoned acreage, not inside a platted subdivision. This applies to unincorporated Rankin County only, not Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, Florence, Puckett or Star.

Violations & Fines

Zoning Administrator enforcement; a knowing violation of the Ordinance is a misdemeanor under Section 714, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep horses or cattle on my Rankin County property?
Yes, if it's zoned A-1 (Agricultural General): grazing livestock is a permitted use there. Platted residential subdivisions ban livestock outright under a separate section.
Does this livestock rule apply in Brandon or Pearl?
No. This is the county zoning ordinance for unincorporated Rankin County only; each incorporated city sets its own livestock rules.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rankin County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Rankin County rules

How Rankin County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rankin County to another location·View the Mississippi animal ordinances overview

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