Sioux City, IA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Sioux City codifies a hard pet cap. Title 7 of the Municipal Code at https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/siouxcity-ia/ limits each residential unit to a total of three (3) pets, with no more than two (2) of the same species — common lawful combinations include two dogs and one cat, two cats and one dog, two dogs and one rabbit, or three different species. The cap counts companion animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, small birds); it does not apply to fish and is layered on top of the separate fowl permit required under Section 7.06.010 for chickens and other birds. Owners who need to exceed the cap may apply for an Excess Domestic Animals Permit (EXAP) through Sioux City Animal Control at https://www.sioux-city.org/government/departments-a-f/animal-control. The EXAP currently applies only to dogs and cats, requires a property inspection and neighbor notification, and may impose conditions such as sterilization, microchipping, and updated rabies vaccinations. Each individual dog and cat must also be licensed annually and current on rabies vaccination under Title 7's licensing chapter. Conditions that cross the line into neglect or hoarding escalate to criminal charges under Iowa Code Section 717B.3 (neglect) and Section 717B.3A (hoarding). Anyone considering a larger household should call Sioux City Animal Control at (712) 279-6968 before acquiring additional pets.