Bowling Green's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, there are 7 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.

Dog Leash Laws

Bowling Green Code Section 5-1 requires that all dogs be on a leash or confined on the owner's premises at all times. Dogs found in violation may be impounded at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. Under Kentucky state law (KRS 258.215 and 258.235), all dogs three (3) months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and wear a current rabies tag; Warren County administers the local dog/cat licensing program.

Key details: Leash / Confinement: Required at all times when off the owner's premises. Off-Leash Exception: Enclosed area at H.P. Thomas Bark Park only. Rabies Vaccination: Required for dogs/cats/ferrets 3+ months (KRS 258.215). Strict Liability: Owner liable for all damage (KRS 258.235(4)). Licensing Authority: Warren County via Bowling Green-Warren Co. Humane Society.

A dog off the owner's property without a leash, or running at large, is a violation of Bowling Green Code Section 5-1 and may result in impoundment at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society, plus reclaim fees and a citation. Failure to vaccinate a dog/cat/ferret 3 months or older against rabies violates KRS 258.215. Failure to maintain a current Warren County license violates KRS 258.135 and the County licensing ordinance.

Beekeeping

The Bowling Green Code of Ordinances does not contain a beekeeping-specific section. Beekeeping is governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 252 (Apiaries), administered by the Kentucky State Apiarist within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Kentucky beekeepers may be required to report colony information to the Commissioner, and KRS 252.190 authorizes KDA rules to control bee diseases. Hives must not violate Bowling Green's general nuisance provisions, and any for-profit operation keeping more than six animals (broadly defined) must also obtain a Multiple Animal Permit under Section 5-1.06.

Key details: City Beekeeping Ordinance: None - no hive cap or setback in Bowling Green Code. State Authority: Kentucky Department of Agriculture / State Apiarist. Governing Statute: KRS Chapter 252 (Apiaries). Disease Control: KRS 252.190 - KDA inspections and rules. Colony Reporting: Required if ordered by Commissioner of Agriculture.

Maintaining an apiary that creates a nuisance (e.g., aggressive bees, swarming onto neighbors' property) may be cited by Code Compliance under the general nuisance provisions of Chapter V. Failure to comply with a Kentucky State Apiarist inspection or reporting order under KRS 252.190 is enforceable by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

The rules around beekeeping in Bowling Green lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Chickens & Livestock

Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Section 5-1.07 (Poultry Restrictions) allows a maximum of five (5) non-crowing poultry per property. Roosters and crowing poultry or peafowl are prohibited inside the city limits. Hens must be confined on the owner's premises by a fence or structure in good repair, with secured gates. No city permit is required for five or fewer hens, but a Multiple Animal Permit (5-1.06) is required for any property keeping more than six total animals.

Key details: Hen Limit: 5 non-crowing poultry per property. Roosters / Crowing Poultry / Peafowl: Prohibited inside city limits. Confinement: Fence or structure in good repair; gates secured by latch. Run At Large: Prohibited (5-1.07). City Permit (Hens): Not required for 5 or fewer hens.

Keeping more than 5 non-crowing hens, keeping any rooster or crowing poultry, or allowing poultry to run at large is a violation of Section 5-1.07 and is enforced by the City of Bowling Green Code Compliance and Animal Protection Division. The City's Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board may impose civil penalties under Chapter 2-21 and order abatement. Operating a for-profit animal business with more than six (6) animals without a Multiple Animal Permit is a violation of Section 5-1.06 (Ordinance 2024-18).

Breed Restrictions

Bowling Green does not have a breed-specific ban. There is no pit bull ban or breed-restricted permit in the current Bowling Green Code of Ordinances. Instead, Section 5-1 regulates 'vicious or dangerous animals' on a conduct basis: any animal that attacks, bites, or physically injures a human, domestic animal, or livestock without adequate provocation, and any animal that has attacked without provocation, is presumed vicious or dangerous. Such animals must be kept in a securely fenced enclosure (minimum 5 ft x 10 ft, secure top and sides) and may only be transported muzzled and on a leash no longer than six (6) feet held by a responsible adult.

Key details: Breed-Specific Ban: None - Bowling Green has no BSL. Pit Bull Ban: None. Vicious / Dangerous Definition: 5-1.15 - conduct-based (attacks or bites without provocation). Enclosure Minimum: 5 ft x 10 ft, secure top and sides. Ground Anchor: Fence sides 2 ft into ground if no concrete bottom.

Failure to confine a vicious or dangerous animal in a compliant enclosure, or transporting it without a muzzle and a leash no longer than six (6) feet, violates Section 5-1.15. Enforcement is by the City Animal Protection Officer, including impoundment at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. A dog bite or unprovoked attack may also trigger strict civil liability against the owner under KRS 258.235(4).

Bowling Green is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Bowling Green Code Section 5-1.16 (Exotic or Wild Animals) prohibits anyone from owning, harboring, or keeping any exotic or wild animal inside the city without (1) the required permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) where state law requires one, AND (2) written permission from the City of Bowling Green Neighborhood and Community Services Department. Kentucky state law (KRS 65.877 and 301 KAR 2:082) lets local governments ban inherently dangerous wildlife; KDFWR prohibits private personal possession of lions, tigers, bears, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, gorillas, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, African buffalo, hyenas, Komodo dragons, elephants, and other inherently dangerous species.

Key details: City Code: Section 5-1.16 (Exotic or Wild Animals). Local Permit: Written permission required from City Neighborhood & Community Services. State Permit: KDFWR permit also required where statute mandates. State Authority: KRS 65.877 + 301 KAR 2:082. Inherently Dangerous (banned as pets): Lions, tigers, leopards, bears, chimps, gorillas, elephants, hippos, Komodo dragons, etc..

Possessing an exotic or wild animal in Bowling Green without both (i) the required KDFWR state permit and (ii) written permission from the City of Bowling Green Neighborhood and Community Services Department is a violation of Section 5-1.16. The animal shall be impounded by the Animal Control Officer. Possessing an inherently dangerous wildlife species prohibited by 301 KAR 2:082 (e.g., lions, tigers, bears, chimpanzees) is also a state-level violation enforceable by KDFWR, which may impose civil penalties and order seizure.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Bowling Green actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

Livestock

Bowling Green is an urban jurisdiction. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, ducks, geese, turkeys, and peafowl are not authorized in city residential zoning districts. The only farm-style animals allowed on a city residential lot are up to five (5) non-crowing hens under Section 5-1.07 - and roosters/crowing poultry are expressly prohibited. Larger livestock generally requires agricultural zoning in unincorporated Warren County outside the city limits.

Key details: Cattle / Horses / Sheep / Goats: Not authorized in city residential zones. Swine: Not authorized in city residential zones. Ducks / Geese / Turkeys / Peafowl: Not authorized; only non-crowing hens via 5-1.07. Non-Crowing Hens: Up to 5 per property under 5-1.07. Roosters / Crowing Poultry: Prohibited (5-1.07).

Keeping cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, ducks, geese, turkeys, or peafowl on a city residential property is a violation of Bowling Green Code Chapter V (Animals) and the City Zoning Ordinance, enforceable by the City Code Compliance and Animal Protection Division. The Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board (Section 2-21) may impose civil penalties and order abatement. Animals creating a nuisance may be impounded by the Animal Control Officer.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Bowling Green actively enforces its livestock requirements.

Wildlife Feeding

Bowling Green does not have a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) rules apply citywide. KDFWR prohibits feeding wildlife (corn, millet, milo, safflower seed, sunflower seed, thistle, wheat, or any manufactured feed/food product) statewide from March 1 through July 31. Bird feeders within the curtilage of the home (immediate yard) are permissible year-round, and salt/mineral licks are permitted statewide outside of CWD Surveillance Zones (Warren County is not currently in the CWD Surveillance Zone).

Key details: City Ordinance: None - KDFWR state rules apply. Seasonal Feeding Ban: March 1 through July 31 statewide. Bird Feeders (Curtilage): Allowed year-round in immediate yard. Salt / Mineral Licks: Allowed (Warren Co. not in CWD Zone). Baiting on WMAs: Prohibited year-round.

Feeding wildlife statewide between March 1 and July 31 (other than bird feeders within the curtilage of the home) is a violation of KDFWR regulations enforced by KDFWR conservation officers and may result in citations and penalties under KRS Chapter 150. Feeding or baiting on Wildlife Management Areas is prohibited year-round. Sanitation nuisances caused by wildlife attractants can also be cited under the Bowling Green Code Chapter V general nuisance provisions.

The Bottom Line

Bowling Green'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 Bowling Green is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Bowling Green can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.