Minnetonka, MN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Minnetonka City Code § 925.105, paragraph 3(a)(3)
- Who must microchip
- Owners of potentially dangerous animals
- Species covered
- Any animal, because animal replaces dog
- Leash limit off premises
- Six feet in length
- Who determines status
- Authorized city personnel, with hearing officer review
- Default penalty tier
- Petty misdemeanor under § 925.120
Summary
In the City of Minnetonka, Hennepin County, Minnesota, the City Code requires a microchip identification implanted in any animal found potentially dangerous. Section 925.105 adopts Minn. Stat. §§ 347.50 through 347.56 by reference and substitutes the word animal for dog, so the rule reaches every species, not only dogs.
1. Adoption of statute. The provisions of Minn. Stat. §§ 347.50 through 347.56 are adopted by reference and govern dangerous animals in the city of Minnetonka, except that the word "animal" is substituted for the word "dog" wherever it appears in those statutes. ... 3. Potentially dangerous animals. a. A person who owns, keeps, possesses, or acts as a custodian for a potentially dangerous animal must do the following: ... (3) have a microchip identification implanted in the animal as required by Minn. Stat. §347.515; and (4) provide notification of the death, change in ownership, or transfer of the animal in accordance with the requirements in Minn. Stat. §347.52(c) and (f).
Full Breakdown
Section 925.105 is the dangerous animal rule in the Minnetonka City Code, and it holds the only microchip requirement in the code. Paragraph 1 adopts Minn. Stat. §§ 347.50 through 347.56 by reference for the City of Minnetonka and swaps the word "animal" in for "dog" wherever it appears in those statutes, so cats and other species fall under the same scheme. Authorized city personnel decide whether an animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous. A request for a hearing on that decision is referred to an independent hearing officer, and an aggrieved party can seek judicial review of the hearing officer's decision in court.
The microchip duty sits in paragraph 3 and applies once an animal is labeled potentially dangerous. The person who owns, keeps, possesses, or acts as custodian must have a microchip identification implanted in the animal as required by Minn. Stat. §347.515, and must give notice of the animal's death, a change in ownership, or a transfer in line with Minn. Stat. §347.52(c) and (f). The same paragraph requires a leash not exceeding six feet in length whenever the animal is off the owner's premises. On the owner's premises the animal must be confined within a fenced enclosure sufficient to keep it in, or held on a leash or chain not exceeding six feet. The notice and hearing steps in Minn. Stat. §347.541 apply to the potentially dangerous determination.
A dangerous animal carries heavier duties under paragraph 2, including a proper enclosure with sidewalls at least five feet high, posts buried at least 18 inches, and a lock whenever the enclosure is occupied. Paragraph 4 lets city personnel who witness an attack use whatever means they deem appropriate to end it. The paragraph on potentially dangerous animals was amended by Ord. #2016-03, effective March 3, 2016.
Violations & Fines
Section 925.120 sets the tiers. A violation of section 925.105(1) and (2) is a misdemeanor. The microchip duty is in paragraph 3, which is not on that list, so it falls under the default: unless otherwise designated, a violation of any other provision in the chapter is a petty misdemeanor. A violation preceded by two or more of the chapter's petty misdemeanor violations within 12 months of the present violation is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Minnetonka require microchips for every dog and cat?
Does the microchip rule cover cats and other animals, or only dogs?
Who decides that an animal is potentially dangerous in Minnetonka?
What else must the owner of a potentially dangerous animal do besides microchipping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minnetonka
Compare Minnetonka to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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Microchipping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle microchipping.