Animal Ordinances in Ankeny, IA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Ankeny, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, City Code section 55.05 bans keeping livestock inside the city, but carves out backyard chickens on owner-occupied, single-family lots that follow Chapter 58's permit rules. Section 58.03 caps a permitted household at six hens, no roosters, and section 58.04 requires at least a quarter-acre lot; section 58.06 sets a 25-foot setback for the henhouse from any property line.
Ankeny Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances §§ 55.05, 58.03, 58.04, 58.06
55.05 LIVESTOCK. ... It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City. However, chickens may be allowed on owner occupied, single-family properties that meet the requirements in Chapter 58. ... 58.03 NUMBER AND TYPE OF CHICKENS ALLOWED. ... ... 1. The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per tract of land. 2. Only female chickens (hens) are allowed. 58.04 ZONING DISTRICTS ...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, City Code section 55.06 makes it unlawful for any dog owner to let the animal run at large anywhere in the city. A violation is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of at least $50 plus surcharge and court costs, or a municipal infraction under Chapter 4, charged at the responding officer's discretion. Registered community cats are exempt.
Ankeny Dogs-at-Large Prohibition
Some RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances §§ 55.06, 55.15
55.06 AT LARGE PROHIBITED. ... It is unlawful for any owner or responsible party of any animal to permit or allow the animal to be at large. All violations of any provision(s) of Section 55.06 are hereby declared simple misdemeanors punishable by a fine of at least $50 plus surcharge and court costs and/or municipal infractions punishable by a penalty as listed in Chapter 4 of this Code of Ordi...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, the city does not ban any dog breed by name; instead Chapter 57 lets the City declare an individual dog dangerous based on its own conduct, defined at section 57.01(6) as biting, chasing or threatening a person or animal unprovoked. Once declared dangerous, section 57.03 requires the dog be leashed on no more than a 4-foot leash outside its kennel and confined so it cannot exit a house on its own.
Ankeny Dangerous Dog Rules (No Breed Ban)
Significant RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances §§ 57.01(6), 57.03
"Dangerous dog" means any dog shall be categorized as a dangerous dog if it fits into any of the following categories: A. Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person or a domestic pet or animal, whether on public or private property. B. Any uncontrolled dog that chases or approaches a person without provocation in a manner that threatens the safety of humans or domestic pets or animals. ... ...
Pet Limits
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, City Code section 55.11 caps ownership at four dogs, four cats, or a combined four dogs and cats per household on any residentially zoned lot. A litter of puppies or kittens, or part of a litter, may stay on the property for up to twelve weeks from birth without counting against the limit.
Ankeny Four-Dog, Four-Cat Household Limit
Some RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances § 55.11
55.11 NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS LIMITED. No family or occupant of the same address shall own, harbor or keep more than four dogs or four cats or a combination exceeding four dogs and cats per household on any residentially zoned lot except that a litter of puppies or kittens or a portion of the litter may be kept on the property not more than twelve weeks from birth.
Cat Rules
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, City Code section 55.17 sets up a trap-neuter-return program for community cats: property owners who trap a cat must have it sterilized, vaccinated and ear-notched at their own expense before returning it to where it was caught. Community cats are exempt from the City's leash requirements, but no feeding station may sit within 200 feet of a playground or school property.
Ankeny Community Cats (TNR) Rules
Some RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances § 55.17
55.17 COMMUNITY CATS. ... 1. The community cats initiative is to protect the residents and community members of the City against the hazards brought about by the growing feral cat population and to provide a safe and humane process by which those health and safety hazards can be reduced through the use of a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to reduce and/or effectively manage the feral cat popul...
Microchipping
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, there is no citywide microchip mandate for pets; the only chip requirement in the Code applies once a dog has been declared dangerous. Section 57.03(6) then gives the owner 60 days from that declaration to microchip the dog at their own expense, on top of the licensing Chapter 56 already requires, so Animal Control can trace the dog if it ever gets loose.
Ankeny Microchip Rule for Dangerous Dogs
Light RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances § 57.03(6)
57.03 KEEPING OF DANGEROUS DOGS REGULATED. ... ... 6. The owner of a dangerous dog must microchip the dog at the owner's expense within 60 days after receiving notification declaring the dog dangerous in addition to licensing the pet in accordance with Chapter 56 of this Code in order to assist in locating the dangerous dog should it be found at large.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and kennels are permitted uses in the C-2 General Retail District under Code of Ordinances § 192.09(1)(B)(1), on condition that any exercising runway sits at least 200 feet from any R District boundary. The Planning and Building Department applies the setback when siting a clinic or kennel.
Ankeny Vet Clinic Runway Setback
Some RestrictionsAnkeny Code of Ordinances § 192.09
B. Retail, service or recreational uses, such as the following: ... (1) Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics or kennels, provided that any exercising runway is at least 200 feet from any R District boundary.