Overland Park, KS Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Who authorizes trapping
- Chief of Police, case by case
- Trigger
- Danger to private property or livestock
- Requester's cost
- First $250 of trapping expense
- Where trapping must occur
- City land or consenting owner's land
- Default trap ban
- Steel jaw/leghold traps unlawful otherwise
Summary
Overland Park bans steel-jaw leghold traps citywide, but Municipal Code 6.09.045 lets the Chief of Police authorize trapping a specific coyote that's damaging private property or livestock. The requesting resident or homes association pays the first $250 of the trapping cost.
"Unlawful trapping" is the utilization, except for display or exhibition purposes, of any trap, net, snare, or other trapping device which does not painlessly capture or immediately kill its victim; or the utilization of any trap of the type commonly known as steel jaw, leghold traps...A. Notwithstanding the provisions in Section 6.09.040, upon request by a resident, property owner, homeowner, or homes association, the Chief of Police may find that a coyote (Canis latrans) has become a danger to the private property or livestock of such individual(s) and may authorize and direct the trapping of a specific targeted animal responsible for private property destruction...C. In the event the Chief deems trapping necessary, the resident, property owner, homeowner or homes association making the request will be responsible for the first $250 of the costs of said trapping.
Full Breakdown
040 defines "unlawful trapping" as using any trap, net, snare, or device that doesn't painlessly capture or immediately kill its victim, or using steel jaw or leghold traps at all, except for display or exhibition. 040, a resident, property owner, homeowner, or homes association can ask the Chief of Police to find that a coyote (Canis latrans) has become a danger to their private property or livestock. If the Chief makes that finding, the Chief may authorize and direct trapping of the specific animal responsible, choosing any method the Chief considers humane and necessary given the circumstances.
The requester bears the first $250 of the trapping cost, and all trapping must take place on city-owned property, property the requester owns or controls, or other property with the owner's consent. 010 exempts a person "legally exposing poison upon their premises for the purpose of destroying coyotes or other predatory animals" from cruelty liability, though there's no citywide feeding-prohibition or hazing ordinance specific to coyotes or deer in this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Trapping a coyote without the Chief of Police's authorization under 6.09.045, or using a device banned by 6.09.040, is enforced through the Title 6 general penalty at Section 6.16.020: punishable per Section 1.12.010 by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of the violation treated separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trap a coyote that's threatening my property in Overland Park?
Who pays for authorized coyote trapping?
Is it legal to poison coyotes in Overland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Overland Park
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Coyote Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Johnson County handle coyote management.