Lake Charles, LA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 4-45, "Private kennel restricted," makes it unlawful to keep more than three dogs or cats over six months of age in any area of a person's property outside the principal building, unless permitted under the zoning code in Appendix A of the Code. This is the operative numeric cap enforced against households: once a fourth dog or cat over six months is kept outdoors, the property triggers the private kennel restriction and needs zoning approval to continue. The Code's definitions section, Sec. 4-32, separately defines "private kennel" for licensing and terminology purposes as an area on a person's property that houses more than three dogs or cats over four months of age, kept for the owner's recreational use, exhibition in conformation shows or trials, or herding of ranch/farm animals, expressly noting that the sale of offspring cannot be the kennel's primary function.

Section 4-45 was enacted in 2017 by Ord. No. 17879, replacing what had previously been an unrestricted framework, and works alongside the animal-establishment definitions in Sec. 4-27 that separate a "private kennel" from a "commercial kennel," the latter being any commercial breeding, boarding, or training operation for compensation. Because the cap applies to animals kept outside the principal building, dogs and cats kept indoors are not counted toward the three-animal limit under this section.