Bowling Green, KY Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

The Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Chapter V (Animals) Section 5-1.07 'Poultry Restrictions' is the only city provision expressly authorizing a farm animal on a residential lot, and it is limited to five (5) non-crowing hens with mandatory secured-fence confinement on the owner's premises. Roosters, crowing poultry, and peafowl are prohibited everywhere inside the city. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, ducks, geese, and turkeys are not listed as authorized uses in any city residential zoning district under the Bowling Green Zoning Ordinance, and the keeping of such animals in residential zones is enforceable as both an animal-control violation under Chapter V and a zoning violation. Owners interested in larger livestock should pursue agricultural-zoned property in unincorporated Warren County outside the city limits, where county zoning generally permits cattle, horses, and other hoofstock subject to minimum-acreage and setback rules administered by Warren County. Section 5-1.06 (Multiple Animal Permit, Ordinance 2024-18, effective July 2025) further requires any for-profit business that boards, breeds, grooms, or keeps more than six (6) animals at a single location to obtain a (free) annual permit from the City Code Compliance and Animal Protection Division. Any animal kept in a manner that creates a public nuisance or threatens public health, safety, or welfare is independently enforceable under the general provisions of Chapter V, with impoundment authority vested in the City Animal Control Officer.