Saint Paul, MN Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Unsanitary conditions, noise, odor, pests
- Governing section
- § 198.02(d)
- Enforced by
- Environmental health officer, DSI
- Companion nuisance ban
- § 198.06(a)
- Violation
- Misdemeanor, § 198.08
Summary
Saint Paul lets the environmental health officer require a permit for animals kept 'in a manner or number that may result in unsanitary conditions,' even when no other section of the animal code already applies. Legislative Code § 198.02(d) targets hoarding-style situations before they become a documented nuisance.
(d)Public health and safety. To protect any person or neighboring use, or to protect the public health and safety, the environmental health officer may require permits for any animals being kept or maintained in a manner or number that may result in unsanitary conditions, unreasonable noise or odors, or annoyance, or the attraction of rodents or insects.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
02(d) gives the environmental health officer authority to require permits for any animals kept or maintained in a manner or number that may result in unsanitary conditions, unreasonable noise or odors, annoyance, or the attraction of rodents or insects: language broad enough to reach any species or count once conditions deteriorate. 06(b)'s requirement that feces and discarded feed be regularly collected to prevent odors from crossing property lines. 04(d) and can grant, deny or refuse to renew a permit. 04(e) lets the officer specify restrictions the officer deems reasonably necessary to protect neighbors or public health and safety, and modify or revoke the permit on ten days' written notice by certified mail for noncompliance.
Violations & Fines
Section 198.08 makes violating §§ 198.02 or 198.06 a misdemeanor, so both keeping animals in unsanitary numbers without the required permit and creating an outright nuisance are separately chargeable. The environmental health officer can also deny a permit outright under § 198.04(f) if a nuisance condition is created or public health and safety would be unreasonably endangered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the city require a permit even for animals normally exempt from Saint Paul's rules?
What's the difference between this rule and the general nuisance ban?
What happens if someone is found hoarding animals in unsanitary conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
Compare Saint Paul to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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