Bowling Green, KY Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- More than 6 cats/dogs kept for profit
- Enclosure cap
- 10 dogs or cats per primary enclosure
- Permitting agency
- Neighborhood and Community Services Dept
- Permit cost
- No fee for application, issuance or inspections
- Exempt entities
- BGWCHS and licensed veterinary practices
- Fine schedule
- $200 / $400 / $800 by offense
Summary
Bowling Green sets no cap on ordinary household pets, but any property that for profit keeps, breeds, boards or kennels more than six cats and dogs at one time must obtain a Multiple Animal Permit from Neighborhood and Community Services. Permitted facilities may house no more than ten dogs or cats in any single primary enclosure.
a. Any property or premises which for profit keeps, breeds, harbors, boards, grooms or kennels more than a total of six (6) cats and/or dogs at any one time shall obtain a Multiple Animal Permit from the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. 1. This Section shall not apply to the BGWCHS, or any licensed veterinary practice in performance of their normal operations. ... ... 4. Not more than ten (10) dogs or cats may be housed in the same primary enclosure;
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-1.06(a) triggers the Multiple Animal Permit only when a property for profit keeps, breeds, harbors, boards, grooms or kennels more than six cats and/or dogs at once; the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society and licensed veterinary practices are exempt. A non-commercial household keeping more than six pets faces no numeric limit under this Chapter. Once permitted, Sec. 5-1.06(b) caps housing at not more than ten dogs or cats per primary enclosure, bars mixing females in heat with mature males except for planned breeding, requires separating any vicious or aggressive animal, and requires daily removal of excreta and food waste.
The Animal Control Officer must find the property adequate before issuing the permit. Sec. 5-1.06(c) runs the permit January 1 through December 31 with no application, issuance or inspection fee, and Sec. 5-1.06(d) lets the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board revoke or suspend it for cause after a citation. Sec. 5-1.06(e) requires compliance with City-County Planning Commission zoning on top of the animal-control rules.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required Multiple Animal Permit, or exceeding the ten-animal-per-enclosure cap once permitted, is a civil fine of $200 for a first offense, $400 for a second within five years at the same property, and $800 for a third or greater; a contested citation before the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board may see the fine doubled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs or cats can I own in Bowling Green?
Is there a cap once I get a Multiple Animal Permit?
Does the Multiple Animal Permit cost anything?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bowling Green
Compare Bowling Green to another location·View the Kentucky animal ordinances overview
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