Terrebonne Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Breeder/seller cap
- 20 unaltered dogs over 6 months
- Kennel license trigger
- 5 or more dogs on the property
- Kennel fee, up to 5 dogs
- $50/year
- Kennel fee, 6-10 dogs
- $100/year
- Kennel fee, over 10 dogs
- $150/year
- Cap violation penalty
- $25 fine plus seizure of excess dogs
Summary
Terrebonne Parish caps commercial dog breeders and sellers at 20 unspayed/unneutered dogs over six months old at any time, and requires a kennel license once anyone keeps five or more dogs, or breeds or sells dogs, on the property.
(d)The owner of five (5) or more dogs may procure a kennel license and pay a kennel license fee in lieu of the individual dog licenses and license fees provided for herein. In every case where all animals on the property are spayed/neutered, a sixty (60) percent discount on the applicable kennel license fee shall be applied.(e)Any person with five (5) or more dogs on his property and who breeds and sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public is required to procure a kennel license and pay a kennel license fee in lieu of the individual dog licenses and license fees provided for herein. ... (h)No person that breeds, buys, or sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public shall maintain more than twenty (20) dogs, excluding dogs which are spayed or neutered, over the age of six (6) months at any time.
Full Breakdown
Parish Code § 5-7 does not set a flat household pet limit, but it does cap the scale of dog breeding and sale operations. Under § 5-7(h), no person that breeds, buys, or sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public shall maintain more than 20 dogs, excluding dogs which are spayed or neutered, over the age of 6 months at any time. A lower threshold triggers licensing: § 5-7(d) lets an owner of five or more dogs procure a kennel license in lieu of individual dog licenses, with a 60 percent discount on the kennel fee if every animal on the property is spayed or neutered, and § 5-7(e) makes a kennel license mandatory for anyone with five or more dogs on the property who breeds and sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public.
The annual kennel license fee scales with count under § 5-7(f): $50 for up to five dogs over six months, $100 for six to ten dogs, and $150 for more than ten dogs. Kennels are subject to inspection by animal control officers at reasonable times with little or no advance notice under § 5-7(i).
Violations & Fines
Section 5-7(n) fines any violation of § 5-7 at $25 per offense. When a person violates the 20-dog cap in subsection (h) specifically, an animal control officer may additionally seize, impound, and humanely dispose of any dog exceeding the maximum number allowed on the premises. Enforcement is carried out by animal control specialists under § 5-4, with support from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office and the Houma Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many dogs I can own in Terrebonne Parish?
When do I need a kennel license instead of individual dog licenses?
What happens if a breeder exceeds the 20-dog cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Terrebonne Parish
Compare Terrebonne Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview
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