Apple Valley, MN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Apple Valley does not require a microchip for ordinary pets. Ordinary dogs and cats are tracked through the license and rabies rules in Chapter 91: a dog six months or older needs a two-year license from the Police Department under § 91.15, and every dog and cat four months or older needs a rabies vaccination and a tag under § 91.04. The microchip requirement sits in § 91.20(D), which applies once a dog has been declared potentially dangerous or dangerous.

The trigger is the declaration. A police officer, community service officer or animal control officer declares a dog on probable cause. The owner then has 14 business days to appeal to the City Clerk. Once no timely appeal is received, the owner is deemed to have waived the appeal, or the hearing officer upholds the declaration, the owner must immediately comply with § 91.20(D). The first item on its list is the chip: implant a microchip in the dog for identification and provide the city the name of the microchip manufacturer and the identification number. All costs related to the purchase and implantation of the chip must be paid by the dog's owner.

The chip comes with the other conditions in the same subdivision. The owner must keep the dog in a proper enclosure, and outside it muzzle and restrain the dog on a substantial leash not to extend more than six feet. The owner must notify the Police Department in writing within 14 days of the dog's death, sale, relocation or transfer, carry liability insurance of at least $300,000, and, for a dangerous dog, have the dog sterilized within 30 days. Section 91.20(A) also adopts by reference the state dangerous dog regulations on microchip identification, notice of a dog's death or relocation, and sterilization.