Grand Forks, ND Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 11-0216 prohibits keeping swine, cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats or other hard-hoofed animals, or chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, doves, pigeons or other fowl within the city, subject to four exceptions: industrial uses in industrial districts under Chapter 18, registered purebred miniature potbelly or similar pigs up to one hundred pounds and no more than two per single-family dwelling, permitted fowl authorized under Section 11-0217, and permitted beekeeping under Section 11-0220. Section 11-0217 defines permitted fowl as chickens, ducks, doves, pigeons or quail kept for nonindustrial, noncommercial or nonagricultural purposes, and requires the keeper to obtain the written consent of every owner of real property within sixty-five feet of the property line and a permit from the director of the public health department, who weighs noise, odor, sanitation and public health impacts before issuing it.

The total number of permitted fowl at one location cannot exceed twelve, and no more than six of those may be chickens. A permit expires December 31 of the year issued and can be renewed annually if the requirements are still met, and the director may revoke or suspend it if conditions are no longer satisfied or the fowl become a public nuisance. Keeping unauthorized fowl of any kind is a public nuisance unless removed from the city within ten days of notice, with each day of continued violation a separate offense under Section 11-0217(3).