Animal Ordinances in Edmond, OK

If you live in Edmond or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Edmond has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Breed Restrictions

Edmond doesn't regulate dogs by breed. It classifies any animal as vicious or potentially vicious based on its actual behavior, then imposes strict fencing, insurance, and registration rules on that specific animal.

Key details: Breed-based rules: None: behavior determines classification. Compliance window: 30 days after declaration. Required fence: 6-foot sight-proof enclosure. Required insurance: $100,000 liability coverage.

Failure to meet the confinement, insurance, muzzle, or registration requirements within 30 days of a vicious/potentially-vicious declaration leads to seizure, impoundment, and possible destruction of the animal after 15 more days.

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

Chickens & Livestock

Edmond allows 4 to 30 hens on single-family lots depending on acreage, but requires a $25 city permit, a chicken-care class, no roosters, and coop setbacks from property lines and neighboring homes.

Key details: Max hens (small lot): 4 on lots under 0.33 acre. Max hens (1-5 acres): Up to 30. Permit fee: $25 plus care class. Roosters: Prohibited citywide. Coop setback: 40 feet from neighboring homes.

Keeping chickens without the required permit, or violating the setback, rooster, or lot-size limits, is a Class B offense under § 2.56.210, enforced by Code Enforcement.

Compared to other cities, Edmond takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pet Limits

Edmond caps household pets at four dogs and four cats over six months old, set out in separate sections of the animal code and enforced by animal welfare officers and Municipal Court.

Key details: Max dogs: 4 over six months old. Max cats: 4 over six months old. Applies: Per residence, all breeds. Enforced by: Animal welfare officer, Municipal Court.

Keeping a fifth dog or fifth cat over six months old violates §§ 7.10.050/7.12.070; the Municipal Court can fine the owner, and animal welfare officers may investigate on complaint.

Exotic Pets

Edmond requires an annual city license and disease testing to own most non-human primates, and bans gorillas, orangutans, baboons, macaques, and chimpanzees outright as a public nuisance per se.

Key details: License: Annual, from City Clerk. License fee: $25 plus vet certification. Banned species: Gorillas, orangutans, baboons, macaques, chimps. Grandfathered: Macaques kept before March 23, 2006.

Owning an unlicensed non-human primate is a Class B offense; conviction carries a fine of up to $200, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense, under § 7.32.030.

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

Beekeeping

Edmond's zoning code lists bees only under the 'Agriculture' use classification, permitted by right solely in the five-acre-minimum G-A General Agricultural district: standard residential districts don't list agriculture as a permitted use at all.

Key details: Use classification: Agriculture, § 22.4.35(F)(1). Where permitted by right: G-A district only. G-A minimum lot: 5 acres. R-1/R-2-A/A districts: Agriculture not listed. Title 7 Animals: No bee-specific rule.

Keeping bees outside a district where Agriculture is a listed use is a general Code violation: a Class B offense fined up to $200 under §§ 1.04.040 and 2.56.210, with each day a separate offense.

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

Dog Leash Laws

Edmond dog owners must keep their dog on a chain, rope, cord, or leash of six feet or less in public, or confined in a vehicle, at all times outside private property.

Key details: Public leash length: 6 feet maximum. Private tether length: 10 feet minimum. Applies to: All dogs on streets, public places. At-large ban: Covers all animals, fowl citywide.

A loose or improperly leashed dog is a Class B offense under § 2.56.210 and can also be charged as a public nuisance under § 7.04.060/7.15.010; animal control may impound the dog.

The Bottom Line

Edmond is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Edmond, 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 Edmond's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.