Minnetonka, MN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 925.115 governs anyone who keeps or allows the keeping of a farm animal in the City of Minnetonka. The code's definition of farm animal names chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea hens along with cattle, goats, sheep, horses and rabbits. A large farm animal weighs over 100 pounds and a small farm animal weighs 100 pounds or less, so chickens are small farm animals.

The cap is set by a table: small farm animals that are fowl of any age are limited to five per half acre, while other small farm animals over six months are also limited to five per half acre and large farm animals over six months are limited to one per acre. A parcel for a large farm animal must be at least one acre, not counting wetlands and undeveloped land not usable for pasture. A parcel for a small farm animal can be smaller than one-half acre, but the number allowed is reduced proportionally and rounded down to the nearest whole number. Only one parcel counts, and parcels cannot be combined unless they are already combined under one property identification number.

Other conditions: no farm animal kept or maintained on a regular basis in the front yard as the zoning ordinance defines it; a shelter structure of appropriate size accessible at all times to an animal kept outside, placed no closer to the boundary line of adjacent occupied property than to the principal structure but not less than 10 feet; a fence or other device containing the animal; and a ground surface of vegetation, concrete, or another surface approved by the Minnetonka health authority. Farm animals cannot be kept on residentially-zoned property for a commercial purpose unless the property qualifies for the agricultural classification under Minn. Stat. § 273.11.

Property that already kept animals outside on June 5, 1999 can continue past these standards only with a multiple animal permit, which is personal to the owner and cannot be transferred.