Eagan, MN Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Eagan confines livestock to agricultural land. The City's Animal Rules & Ordinances state that cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, ponies, ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, guinea hens, and honey bees may be kept on properties that are zoned agricultural and have a minimum of five acres. Because Eagan is a largely developed suburb in Dakota County, most parcels are smaller residential lots that do not meet this acreage and zoning threshold, so keeping horses, cattle, goats, or similar livestock is generally not permitted on a typical city lot. The one narrow exception the City created is the backyard chicken permit, which lets single-family residential property owners keep up to five hens (no roosters) under a separate permitted program with setback and inspection requirements. The Eagan Police Department's animal control officer enforces Chapter 10 of the City Code and inspects animal-keeping facilities. Anyone considering livestock should confirm that their parcel is both zoned agricultural and at least five acres before bringing animals onto the property, since both conditions must be met under the City's published rule. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture also maintains guidance on local livestock ordinances for cross-reference.