Rapides Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 6 addresses poultry at large. Section 6-111 makes it unlawful for an owner or representative to permit chickens or other poultry to go onto streets, sidewalks, public ways, or another person's property within a recognized subdivision in unincorporated Rapides Parish. Section 6-112 defines a recognized subdivision as any subdivision whose plat has been recorded in the parish's plat or conveyance records, plus any densely populated area that was developed before plat recording was required, and cross-references the parish's subdivision chapter, Chapter 22.

A companion rule, § 6-113, separately bars chickens or poultry at large in Police Jury District A. Violating either provision draws a fine of not more than $100 or up to 10 days in the parish jail, or both, under § 6-114. Larger livestock is governed by a much older stock law in Article I: § 6-39 lets the police jury appoint impounding officers to take up any stock or animal roving at large anywhere in the unincorporated parish, and § 6-40 lets any resident do the same and turn the animal over to an impounding officer.

50 per head per day for care and feeding, and unclaimed stock is sold at public auction after five days' notice under § 6-44, with a general misdemeanor penalty of up to $100 or 30 days in jail under § 6-45. Hog pens draw an additional, narrower rule: § 6-51 forbids operating or maintaining a hog pen within 500 feet of a recognized subdivision in Ward 9.