Kansas City, MO Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base limit
- 4 dogs/cats/pigs combined
- RA-zoned lots
- up to 25 animals
- Avocation/rescue permit
- up to 10 animals
- Ferret limit
- 4, or 10 with permit
- Enforcement
- excess animals impounded at shelter
Summary
Kansas City limits any residence to four dogs, cats or Vietnamese potbellied pigs combined, over 120 days old, declaring anything above that a public nuisance citywide under Code of Ordinances § 14-28.
It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person in charge of a residence to keep or allow to be kept more than four dogs or four cats, or four Vietnamese potbellied pigs or any combination of such animals exceeding four in number, over the age of 120 days at such residence unless the residence or all of the dogs, cats and Vietnamese potbellied pigs kept there are within one or more of the following exceptions:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 139 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Kansas City Code of Ordinances § 14-28 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance for anyone in charge of a residence to keep more than four dogs, four cats, four Vietnamese potbellied pigs, or any combination of the three exceeding four, over 120 days old. Exceptions apply to licensed commercial animal establishments, RA-zoned agricultural properties (up to 25 animals), and holders of a domestic animal avocation or rescue kennel/cattery permit (up to ten animals over 180 days). Ferrets are separately capped at four, or ten with an avocation permit. When animals exceed the limit, the city may remove them all to the municipal shelter, though the resident present may keep up to four licensed dogs/cats/pigs and four ferrets.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than four dogs, cats or potbellied pigs (or four ferrets) without a qualifying permit is a public nuisance; animal health and public safety can seize and impound the excess animals to the shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pets can I legally keep in Kansas City?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kansas City
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle pet limits.