Georgetown, KY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Sec. 6-20(c) of the Georgetown animal chapter is a flat prohibition: the keeping of livestock or poultry in the city is prohibited. Only two exceptions are printed. The first is a commercial animal establishment permitted under the article, and the second is a farming operation conducted on property zoned for agricultural use under the city's zoning ordinance. Sec. 6-19 defines livestock as farm animals, including horses, ponies, cows, swine, sheep, chickens and other animals customarily kept as part of a farming operation. The same subsection bars any person from permitting or negligently allowing livestock to run at large.

The removal process is in Sec. 6-24(b). Owners found keeping livestock in violation of Sec. 6-20(c) are notified of the prohibition in writing. The notice must cite the Code section and state that the owner must remove the livestock from the property within ten days. If the owner fails to do so, the city or its designee impounds the livestock in an animal shelter in a humane manner and the owner is guilty of a violation. Under Sec. 6-24(g), impounded livestock becomes city property and can be sold to a person intending to use it for farming. The city can require proof that the purchaser owns, operates, or has a working relationship with a farm operation. If no purchaser is found within ten working days of impoundment, the livestock can be humanely euthanized by sodium pentobarbital.

Sales are restricted too. Sec. 6-20(e) makes it unlawful to sell, exchange, trade, barter or display horses, cattle or other livestock, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, chickens, or other poultry or fowl, except through a duly licensed pet store, stockyard or breeding establishment at its regular place of business. Individual owners can occasionally sell animals on property they own or lease.