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Minneapolis, MN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Lifetime license needs
Sterilized and microchipped
Standard licenses
No microchip required
Administered by
Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC)
Also required
Current rabies vaccination on file

Summary

Minneapolis does not require microchipping for a standard pet license, but the city's lifetime dog or cat license can only be issued once MACC confirms the animal is sterilized and microchipped, with rabies vaccination on file.

(a) ... (5) Lifetime (sterilized and microchipped only); ... (c) A lifetime license requires that the animal be currently vaccinated by a license veterinarian, sterilized, and microchipped. The owner shall cause to be maintained a current rabies vaccination on file with MACC at all times.

Source: Minneapolis Pet LicensingView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).

Full Breakdown

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 63.70(a) lists "Lifetime (sterilized and microchipped only)" as one of the license categories MACC (Minneapolis Animal Care and Control) offers alongside yearly and three-year licenses. § 63.70(c) spells out the actual requirement: a lifetime license requires that the animal be currently vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, sterilized, and microchipped, and the owner must keep a current rabies vaccination on file with MACC at all times. There's no citywide mandate to microchip every pet, owners who skip it simply stay on the annual or three-year license track instead of the one-time lifetime tag.

Violations & Fines

Not microchipping carries no separate fine: it disqualifies the animal from the lifetime license tier, so the owner defaults to MACC's annual or three-year licensing and renewal fees under the license fee schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Minneapolis require microchipping my dog or cat?
Not for a standard yearly or three-year license. Only the lifetime license under § 63.70(c) requires the animal be sterilized and microchipped before MACC will issue it.
What happens if my pet isn't microchipped?
You can still get an annual or three-year MACC license: you just aren't eligible for the lifetime license option.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Minneapolis

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All Minneapolis rules

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