Animal Ordinances in Centennial, CO

If you live in Centennial or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Centennial has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Chickens & Livestock

Centennial bars livestock in most residential zones: only rabbits and up to six chickens are allowed outside the Agricultural and Neighborhood Conservation Zone Districts, per Sec. 7-7-340.

Key details: Citywide default: Livestock banned except rabbits/6 chickens. Roosters: Banned over 6 months old. Zoning exception: Agricultural, Neighborhood Conservation Districts. RAO overlay: 1 animal-equivalent-unit per acre. Alternative path: Pet fancier's permit, up to 6.

Unlisted-penalty violations of Sec. 7-7-340 are minor offenses fined up to the Sec. 1-4-10 maximum; the animal control officer may also seize and impound illegally kept livestock.

This is one of the stricter rules in Centennial's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Wildlife Feeding

Centennial makes it a nuisance to intentionally lure deer, coyotes, bears and other wildlife with food, and separately bans feeding birds or squirrels in ways that create unsanitary conditions or attract pests.

Key details: Luring mammals: Deer, coyotes, bear: banned outright. Exempt species: Squirrels and birds not banned. Bird/squirrel feeding: OK unless unsanitary or nuisance. First-offense fine: $250 to $2,650.

A wildlife-luring violation is a nuisance offense enforced under Chapter 7 Article 1, carrying municipal court fines of $250-$2,650 for a first offense and rising minimums of $400 and $500 for repeats.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Centennial actively enforces its wildlife feeding requirements.

Exotic Pets

Centennial bans owning wild animals and canid/felid hybrids anywhere in the city, with only a narrow exception for birds held under a valid state or federal wildlife permit.

Key details: Wild animals: Prohibited citywide. Canid/felid hybrids: Banned, no zoning exception. Bird exception: Requires CPW or USFWS permit. Penalty: Fine up to Code maximum. Enforcement: Animal Services / Municipal Court.

Violating Sec. 7-7-340 is a minor offense punishable by a fine up to the maximum set in Sec. 1-4-10, plus court-ordered special sanctions such as animal removal or euthanasia under Sec. 7-7-170.

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

Pet Limits

Centennial makes it unlawful to let feces pile up on any property to an unsanitary degree, and treats the mess from keeping too many animals as an enforceable nuisance.

Key details: Trigger: unsanitary feces accumulation. Enforcement path: Municipal Court or nuisance action. Enforcer: Animal Services or Code Enforcement. Permit tie-in: neighbor complaints can revoke permit.

Letting feces or unsanitary conditions build up from keeping animals is a nuisance Animal Services or Code Enforcement can pursue in Municipal Court under Section 7-7-330, separate from any pet-count violation.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs must be leashed on a cord no longer than ten feet whenever off the owner's property in Centennial: running at large or unauthorized tethering is a fineable offense under Sec. 7-7-410.

Key details: Leash length: Max 10 feet, hand-held. Applies: Any street, public place, private land. Tethering: Banned off owner's property. First offense fine: $50. Repeat offense: $100 minimum, court mandatory.

First offense $50, second offense within two years $75, and $100 minimum for further offenses within two years, each with a mandatory court appearance, under Sec. 7-7-170(e).

Beekeeping

Centennial allows backyard beekeeping on single-family lots with movable-frame hive boxes, capping hive count by lot size and setting a 6-foot height limit and 10-foot setback.

Key details: Hive box height/size: 6 ft.; 10 cu. ft. combined. Setback (interior side/rear): 10 ft.. Lots under 1/4 acre: 2 hive boxes max. Lots 2+ acres: 12 hives (unlimited at 250 ft.).

Keeping more hive boxes than the lot size allows, or placing them without the required setbacks, is a zoning violation that the Director can order corrected.

Breed Restrictions

Centennial does not have breed-specific legislation. No dog breeds are banned. Colorado SB 04-079 provides partial preemption limiting breed-specific restrictions for insurance purposes. The city focuses on individual dog behavior and owner responsibility rather than breed bans.

Key details: Breed Bans: None. Approach: Behavior-based enforcement. State Law: SB 04-079 limits BSL for insurance. All Breeds: Must be licensed and controlled.

Dangerous dog behavior: handled case-by-case regardless of breed. Aggressive dogs may be subject to additional restrictions.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Centennial gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

The Bottom Line

Centennial is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Centennial, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Centennial'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.