How South Jordan Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide
South Jordan maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where South Jordan falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Pet Limits
South Jordan caps household pets at two per species over four months old per dwelling; owning a third dog, cat, or other pet of the same species violates § 6.08.060 and is a class B misdemeanor.
Key details: Citation: South Jordan City Code § 6.08.060. Limit: 2 pets per species per dwelling. Age threshold: Over 4 months old. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Exemptions: Government or nonprofit shelters only.
Owning more than two household pets of one species older than four months is a class B misdemeanor, applied per dwelling for each species over the two-pet limit.
Cat Rules
South Jordan requires owners to keep any female cat in heat confined indoors: the only cat-specific rule in the code, since cats, unlike dogs, need no city license.
Key details: Rule: confine female cat in heat. Penalty: class B misdemeanor. Cat license: not required (dogs only). Rabies shot: required at 4 months, §6.16.010.
Failing to confine a female dog or cat in heat is a class B misdemeanor under section 6.12.050; there is no separate cat-licensing offense since only dogs require a license.
Dog Leash Laws
South Jordan requires every dog to be restrained by a leash no longer than six feet, a secure enclosure, or direct owner supervision on the owner's own property; violators face a class B misdemeanor and strict liability for damage.
Key details: Leash length: 6 feet (6') maximum. Citation: South Jordan City Code § 6.12.040. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Liability: Owner strictly liable for damage. Alternative: Owner present on own property.
A leash/restraint violation is a class B misdemeanor under title 1, chapter 1.28 of the code, and the owner is strictly liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
South Jordan requires all commercial veterinary, grooming and boarding operations to run inside a fully enclosed building, with no discernible noise or odor beyond the lot line under city code.
Key details: Zone requirement: Fully enclosed building required. Outdoor runs: Conditional use permit required. Setback: 300 ft from residential/school/church. Governing chapter: Title 17, Chapter 17.18 Uses.
Operating an unenclosed or odor-emitting animal facility, or building an outdoor run without a conditional use permit, draws a stop order and infraction citation from Code Compliance.
Beekeeping
South Jordan allows honeybee hives as an accessory use on residential lots of at least a quarter acre, caps colonies by lot size, and sets 25-foot setbacks from property lines.
Key details: Minimum lot size: 1/4 acre. Colonies on 1/4-1/2 acre: 2 colonies. Setback from property line: 25 ft (or 10 ft screened). School buffer: 500 ft. State registration: Utah Dept. of Agriculture.
The City can order hives removed as a nuisance under Title 8, Chapter 8.24, or for violating the required setbacks, flyway barrier, height limit, or state apiary registration.
Exotic Pets
South Jordan bans keeping, selling, buying, or giving away any 'wild animal', including big cats, wolves, bears, venomous snakes, and raccoons, under § 6.08.050, with narrow exceptions for zoos, shelters, and labs.
Key details: Citation: South Jordan City Code § 6.08.050. Covered species: Big cats, wolves, bears, venomous snakes. Residential zones: Wild animals barred outright. Exceptions: Zoos, shelters, vet hospitals, labs, circuses. Enforcement: Seizure and impoundment by animal control.
Section 6.08.050 does not list its own fine; violations are enforced as a general title 6 offense, and any wild animal kept unlawfully is subject to seizure and impoundment by animal control.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. South Jordan actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.
Chickens & Livestock
South Jordan allows up to six chickens per residential lot of at least 10,000 square feet for family food production, bans roosters, and requires a City permit and coop setbacks.
Key details: Chickens allowed: Up to 6 per lot. Roosters: Prohibited. Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft. Coop setback: 40 ft from neighbor's home. Permit: Required, one-time.
The Planning Department can revoke a chicken permit for noncompliance, and nuisance complaints are treated as prima facie violations, putting the burden on the owner to resolve them.
Breed Restrictions
South Jordan does not ban any dog breed by name; instead § 6.12.070 lets the city petition a court to declare an individual dog 'vicious' based on documented behavior, triggering strict leash, enclosure, signage, and insurance rules.
Key details: Breed bans: None: behavior-based only. Leash outside pen: 3 feet (3') maximum. Liability insurance: $250,000 minimum required. Dog limit: One vicious dog per owner. Citation: South Jordan City Code § 6.12.070.
Failing to meet a declared vicious dog's confinement, leash, muzzle, signage, insurance, or licensing conditions is a class B misdemeanor, and the dog is subject to immediate seizure, impoundment, and possible court-ordered destruction.
This is one of the stricter rules in South Jordan's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
South Jordan is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in South Jordan, 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 South Jordan'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.