Lake Charles, LA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 4-7 governs keeping chickens, ducks, geese, other fowl, or rabbits: they must be kept in pens or enclosures no nearer than 50 feet from any building used for residential or commercial purposes. Section 4-8 requires those premises to stay sanitary, clean and in good repair, with floors and yards graded and drained, and bans accumulating material that breeds flies or harbors rats. Section 4-9 requires the premises be made available for inspection by the chief sanitarian of the Calcasieu-Lake Charles Health Unit at reasonable times.

Larger animals face a much stricter regime: Section 4-4 requires anyone keeping swine to first obtain a special exception permit from the city council, with the enclosed area at least 300 feet from the nearest neighboring residence, commercial building, park or recreation center, and at least 150 feet from the closest private property line, plus an approved cleaning/maintenance and drainage plan and a shelter that cannot be made of sheet metal. Section 4-5 imposes the identical permit, 300-foot and 150-foot setback, shelter, and drainage-plan requirements on horses, mules, goats, llamas, sheep, and any other livestock including a cow kept for milking.

Both sections cap eligibility at tracts of 100 acres or less and allow a waiver of the setbacks only if every affected neighbor within the distance consents in writing, the chief sanitation officer approves sanitation conditions, and no landowner within one mile objects at the permit hearing. Section 4-10 separately bans letting cattle, horses, mules, swine, llamas, goats, sheep or livestock run loose or occupy streets, sidewalks, parks, or unenclosed lots.