Lakeville, MN Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Livestock keeping in Lakeville is governed by Zoning Code Section 11-35-3 (Keeping Animals). The keeping of horses is a permitted accessory use in all agriculture/rural zoning districts, subject to a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres. The number of horses may not exceed one per acre or 10 animal units, whichever is less, unless a higher number is granted through the issuance of an interim use permit. The keeping of house pets is a permitted accessory use in all agriculture/rural and residential zoning districts. Chickens are handled separately under the residential administrative-permit standard described in the same chapter. Because horse and larger-livestock keeping is allowed only in agriculture/rural districts and is conditioned on acreage and animal-unit limits, most standard single-family residential lots in Lakeville cannot keep horses or farm livestock. Residents should confirm their property's zoning district and lot size before keeping any livestock. Where Lakeville's zoning code is silent on a particular animal, statewide animal-welfare requirements under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 343 still apply to the humane care of all animals. The specific acreage, animal-unit, and interim-use-permit thresholds are set by the city and should be verified with the Lakeville Community Development Department.