Sioux Falls, SD Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Sioux Falls operates under a SDCL Chapter 6-12 home-rule charter and regulates animal keeping in Title 9, Chapter 90 (Animals and Fowl) of its municipal code. Section 90.008 (Keeping of Animals) allows residents to keep up to six chickens or rabbits without a permit; only female chickens (hens) are allowed because roosters violate the city's nuisance/noise framework. A 25-foot setback from neighboring dwellings is required for coops and pens. To keep more than six chickens or rabbits, or to keep ducks, quail, turkeys, or other fowl, the owner must apply for a special permit and obtain written approval from every neighbor within 100 feet of the property line. Livestock — defined as any animal commonly raised for food, fiber, or draft purposes other than fowl — is unlawful to keep within the city limits except on land zoned AG (Agricultural District). South Dakota statewide is livestock-heavy and SDCL Chapter 40-1 governs livestock generally; SDCL Chapter 40-28 covers partition fences; but inside Sioux Falls city limits the home-rule code controls. The city's general police-power authority derives from SDCL § 9-29-1.