Animal Ordinances in Cheyenne, WY: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Cheyenne or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cheyenne has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Wildlife Feeding

Cheyenne makes it a misdemeanor to feed seagulls, geese, or ducks anywhere within city limits, backed by a $750 fine.

Key details: Covered species: Seagulls, geese, ducks. Max fine: $750. First offense: Warning possible, officer's discretion. Citation limit: One per person per 24 hours.

Misdemeanor, fine up to $750; first-time offenders may get a written warning instead of a citation.

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

Pet Limits

Cheyenne households may keep up to four dogs and four cats; a fifth of either animal makes the property a kennel subject to zoning rules.

Key details: Dog limit: 4 per dwelling unit. Cat limit: 4 per dwelling unit. Over limit: Treated as a kennel. Litter exception: Exempt until 4 months old.

Exceeding four dogs or four cats triggers kennel classification, forcing the property into zoning compliance for kennel use.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Cheyenne requires every dog or cat adopted from the animal shelter to be spayed or neutered, backed by a refundable deposit and a misdemeanor fine for skipping proof.

Key details: Who it covers: Dogs and cats adopted from the city shelter. Proof deadline: 60 days from adoption. Minimum fine: $50 for missing proof. Young-animal exception: Vet certificate defers the deadline.

Failing to submit proof of alteration within 60 days of a shelter adoption is a misdemeanor, fined at least $50 and forfeits the deposit.

Breed Restrictions

Cheyenne regulates dangerous animals by behavior, not breed: no pit bull or other breed is named anywhere in the city code's dangerous-animal rules.

Key details: Breed named in code: None. Dangerous-animal test: Behavior-based, not breed. Required control: Secured and muzzled. Bite impoundment: Up to 10 days. Court penalty: Euthanize or ban from city.

Owning an unsecured/unmuzzled dangerous animal is a misdemeanor under 1.24.010; court may additionally order euthanasia or a city-wide ban on the animal.

Compared to other cities, Cheyenne takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

Bees are a declared nuisance citywide unless the apiary complies with the Wyoming Agriculture Act and the keeper proves it on request.

Key details: Governing section: City Code 6.08.200. Default status: Bees declared a nuisance. Exception: Apiary complies with W.S. 11-7-130–407. Enforcement trigger: No certification on request. Outcome if uncertified: Abatement order for hives.

No proof of Wyoming Agriculture Act compliance when the city compliance department asks triggers a nuisance declaration and an abatement order for the hives.

Compared to other cities, Cheyenne takes a harder line on beekeeping. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Exotic Pets

Cheyenne prohibits owning any wild or exotic animal in the city, with narrow exceptions for small cagebirds, aquatic or nonpoisonous reptiles, and small rodents kept solely as pets.

Key details: Wild/exotic pets: Prohibited citywide. Venomous species: Barred outright. Exempt pets: Cagebirds, nonpoisonous reptiles, small rodents. Max penalty: $750 fine / 6 months jail.

Violating either section is a misdemeanor under the animal title's general penalty, City Code 1.24.010: up to a $750 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.

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

Dog Leash Laws

Cheyenne requires owners to keep every animal under restraint at all times; letting a dog run at large off the owner's own property is a misdemeanor with escalating fines.

Key details: Governing section: City Code 6.08.030. Restraint standard: Under restraint at all times. First-offense fine (altered/young): $50 minimum. First-offense fine (unaltered/adult): $75 minimum. 3rd offense penalty: $100–$750, must appear.

Fines start at $50 (altered/young dog) or $75 (unaltered/adult dog) for a first offense, rising to $100–$750 with mandatory court appearance by the third offense in 12 months; repeat offenders also face forced microchipping or alteration at owner expense.

Chickens & Livestock

Cheyenne bans keeping or slaughtering livestock, birds and nonhuman primates citywide, with narrow carve-outs for up to six female chickens and permitted weed-control goats.

Key details: General livestock/bird/primate ban: citywide except agricultural zones. Chicken exception: up to 6 female chickens, no roosters. Chicken coop cap: 60 sq ft, 7 ft max height. Neighbor consent required: all adjacent lot owners/residents, in writing. Goats allowed only: under city weed/pest-control contract.

Keeping livestock, male chickens, or unpermitted birds/primates in the city is a Code 6.08.020 violation; unpermitted female chickens or an unclipped/at-large chicken can be impounded and euthanized if unclaimed within two business days.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Cheyenne actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

The Bottom Line

Cheyenne is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Cheyenne, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Cheyenne's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.