St. Louis County, MN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken animal unit
- 0.01 animal units per chicken
- Swine animal unit
- 0.40 animal units per hog
- Small-lot chicken cap
- 5 chickens on parcels of 0-2 acres
- Large-flock trigger
- 5+ animal units of swine/poultry needs enclosed fencing
- Fencing setback
- 2x principal setback or 200 ft, whichever is greater
- Well setback
- No penning within 150 ft of a well
- Over the limit
- Requires a conditional use permit
Summary
St. Louis County regulates chickens and livestock through an animal-unit table in Zoning Ordinance 62. Chickens count as 0.01 animal units and swine as 0.40, and a lot of two acres or less is capped at five chickens alongside its dog and cat pet allowance. Once a parcel holds five or more animal units of swine or poultry, it must meet stepped-up fencing and setback rules.
d. On any parcel that contains five or more animal units of swine or poultry, enclosed quarters or fencing shall be provided at no less than twice the required principal structure property line setback for the zone district or 200 feet from a neighboring residence, whichever is more restrictive. ... Swine 0.40 ... Chicken 0.01 Number of Acres Animal Units Allowed 0-2 Acres Only domesticated dogs and cats as pets up to one animal unit total and no more than 5 chickens
Full Breakdown
01. The Director sets the equivalent for any species the table omits. On a parcel of two acres or less, that table limits residents to domesticated dogs and cats as pets, one animal unit total, plus no more than five chickens, meaning even a small in-county lot can host a modest backyard flock without a permit. d, any parcel holding five or more animal units of swine or poultry must provide enclosed quarters or fencing set back at least twice the zone district's required principal-structure property line setback, or 200 feet from a neighboring residence, whichever distance is greater.
General animal-keeping standards apply on top of the unit table regardless of zone district: animals cannot be penned within 150 feet of a well, or within shore or bluff impact zones or on steep slopes. Exceeding the animal-unit allowance for your acreage, whether with chickens, goats, or livestock, requires a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Department rather than simply expanding the flock or herd.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more animal units of poultry or livestock than your acreage allows, or failing to meet the doubled setback and fencing rule once you reach five animal units of swine or poultry, is a zoning violation. The Director investigates, orders correction within a reasonable time, and refers uncorrected cases to the County Attorney. A violation is a misdemeanor under Article VIII, Section 8.2.B, with fines credited to the county's general revenue fund; the County Board may also pursue an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many backyard chickens can I keep in unincorporated St. Louis County?
What triggers the stricter fencing rule for poultry or swine?
Can I keep goats or a horse on a small lot in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis County
How St. Louis County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare St. Louis County to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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