Evansville, IN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from the Commission
- Zoning limit
- Agricultural-zoned property only
- Neighbor notice
- Certified mail, 10 days prior
- Enclosure size
- 10,000 sq ft per animal
Summary
Keeping a cow, horse, swine, or other large animal within Evansville requires a large animal permit under EMC 6.05.030(B)(10), and the permit is granted only for property zoned agricultural.
(a) No person shall possess or maintain a large animal without obtaining a large animal permit. Permits shall only be issued by the commission upon the recommendation of the Operations Manager or his designee for compliance with this chapter.
(b) The owner shall send a notice that the issuance of a large animal permit will be considered by the commission with the date, time and location of the meeting (at owner’s expense) to all adjacent property owners by certified mail 10 days prior to the meetings. There will be a minimum of two commissioner’s meetings to review the application.
(c) Prior to approval, there shall be an on-site inspection by the ACO for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(d) A large animal permit may only be granted for property that is zoned “agricultural” or upon which that specific large animal was located at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. A different large animal may not be placed on the property unless the property is zoned “agricultural.”
(e) No permit shall be granted or renewed unless the premises meet the requirements of this chapter.
(11) Fees for Permits. The following fees shall be charged per premises annually (unless otherwise indicated) for the permits listed above:
Animal establishment permit
$125.00 per premises
Crime prevention animal permit
Annual license fee provided in subsection (A)(8) of this section plus $50.00 per premises
Animal assemblage permit
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
EMC 6.05.030(B)(10) bars possessing a large animal, defined at EMC 6.05.020 as a cow, horse, pony, donkey, mule, goat, sheep, swine other than a pot belly pig, or llama, without a permit from the Animal Control and Education Commission. The owner must notify every adjacent property owner by certified mail 10 days before the commission meets, and the Animal Control Officer must inspect the site first. A permit can issue only for agriculturally zoned property, or for an animal already there when the current chapter took effect; EMC 6.05.040(A)(6) also requires 10,000 square feet of enclosure per large animal, excluding the front yard.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a large animal without a permit, or on land that isn't zoned agricultural, is a prohibited act under EMC 6.05.040(A) subject to citation, permit denial, and enforcement by the Animal Control and Education Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or cow in Evansville?
What counts as a large animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
How Evansville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Evansville to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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