Bloomington's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Bloomington, Minnesota, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Breed Restrictions

Minnesota preempts local breed-specific legislation. Under Minn. Stat. §347.51 subd. 8, cities may not regulate dogs based solely on breed, so Bloomington has no breed ban. Dogs are regulated individually by behavior under the state Dangerous Dog Act, §347.50 to 347.565.

Key details: Breed Bans: None — preempted statewide. State Law: Minn. Stat. §347.51 subd. 8. Dangerous Dogs: Behavior-based. BSL Preemption: Yes — local breed bans void.

No breed-based violations exist in Minnesota. Dangerous-dog violations under state law are misdemeanors; a dog declared dangerous must be registered, muzzled, and enclosed, and containment failures can bring fines of $500 or more.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is allowed in Bloomington with conditions: hives under 25 ft from a property line need a 6-ft flyway barrier, rooftop hives are prohibited on residential structures, and hive numbers are limited by lot size. Minnesota has no statewide apiary registration.

Key details: Allowed: Yes, with conditions. Flyway Barrier: 6 ft if hive <25 ft from property line. Rooftop Hives: Prohibited on residential. State Registration: None — MDA inspection voluntary.

Unauthorized hives: removal order. Nuisance complaints: city fines. There is no state registration to violate — enforcement is by the city.

Dog Leash Laws

Bloomington requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. MN Stat. §347.50 covers dangerous dogs.

Key details: Leash: Required in public. Off-Leash: Designated parks only. License: Required + rabies. State Law: MN Stat. §347.50.

Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $200. Waste: $50 to $500.

Exotic Pets

Bloomington City Code §12.120 prohibits keeping or selling wild animals as pets. No person may keep any wild animal on their property. Feeding wild animals (raccoons, deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc.) also prohibited under §12.122.

Key details: Wild Animals as Pets: Prohibited. Feeding Wildlife: Prohibited (§12.122). Domestic Animal Limit: 4 per household. City Code: §12.120.

Confiscation of prohibited animals. Fines $500 to $5,000. Criminal charges possible for dangerous species. Owner liable for damages from escaped animals.

Compared to other cities, Bloomington takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Bloomington's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Bloomington is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Bloomington's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.