Sedgwick County, KS Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered animals
- Cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, goats
- Min space/animal
- 10,000 sq ft fenced
- Hog setback
- 500 ft from dwellings
- Waste cleaning
- At least weekly
- Density set by
- UZC zoning district
Summary
Cattle, horses, hogs, sheep and goats may be kept in unincorporated Sedgwick County if you meet county husbandry standards so they are not a nuisance: fenced enclosures, minimum space and setbacks, weekly cleaning, and proper waste, rodent and drainage control. Zoning density is set by the Unified Zoning Code.
Maintaining larger domestic animals, including but not limited to bovine cattle, horses, hogs, sheep and goats, in accordance with each of the following standards shall not be deemed to be a nuisance: (1) Providing at least ten thousand (10,000) square feet of fenced open space per animal if the animal shelter or enclosure is within three hundred (300) feet of any dwelling on adjoining premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 22 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under sec. 5-161(a), keeping larger domestic animals is not a nuisance when you satisfy each listed standard, including 10,000 sq ft of fenced open space per animal within 300 feet of a neighbor's dwelling (500 feet for hogs), a fenced enclosure, at least weekly shelter cleaning, proper disposal of manure and solid waste, rodent-proof grain storage, weed/fly/rodent control, secure fencing to prevent breakout, and adequate drainage. These are the county's animal-nuisance thresholds for the unincorporated area. Where livestock may be kept, and at what density, is separately governed by the Wichita–Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code (agricultural and rural-residential districts) administered by MAPD.
Violations & Fines
Livestock kept below these standards may be declared a maintained nuisance under chapter 5, subject to abatement orders and fines up to $500 fixed by the county court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes livestock a nuisance in the county?
Where can I keep livestock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedgwick County
How Sedgwick County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Sedgwick County to another location·View the Kansas animal ordinances overview
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