Woodbury, MN Animal Ordinances: Livestock (2026)

Livestock in Woodbury is governed primarily through the City Code and zoning ordinance, not as a backyard residential use. With the exception of chicken-hens (which gained a separate large-lot allowance in 2024), the keeping of livestock is allowed only on properties zoned for agricultural use that are at least five acres in size. The city's livestock definition is broad, covering domesticated animals such as alpacas, bees, dairy and beef cattle, deer, donkeys, goats, horses and ponies, llamas, mules, sheep, pigs and hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry, fish, mink and game birds. Density is also limited: keeping more than one livestock animal per acre requires a conditional use permit under Chapter 24, the city's zoning ordinance. These rules mean horses, cattle and similar farm animals are generally not allowed on standard suburban Woodbury lots and are reserved for qualifying agricultural parcels. Residents who own larger acreage and want to keep farm animals should confirm their parcel's zoning and size, then check whether their intended animal count triggers the conditional-use-permit threshold. Questions about livestock, acreage and permits are directed to the city's Planning Division. The narrower hen allowance for R-1 and R-2 properties is the main exception to the five-acre agricultural rule for ordinary residents.