Animal Ordinances in Apple Valley, MN (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Apple Valley, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, § 91.06(D)(1)(b) prohibits farm poultry and farm animals unless they are on property zoned for agricultural uses. Horses are the one residential exception, on R-1 Single Family Residential lots of at least 40,000 square feet. Chickens are named farm poultry, so residential backyard flocks fall under the ban.
Apple Valley, MN Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.06(D)
(D) Keeping of certain animals prohibited. (1) Prohibited animals. No person shall keep, maintain or harbor within the city any of the following animals: ... (b) Farm poultry or farm animal, except in the following cases: 1. Farm poultry or farm animals may be kept on property zoned for agricultural uses. 2. Horses may be kept on property zoned R-1 Single Family Residential (minimum lot size of...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, § 91.17 bans dogs running at large at any time, except inside a city-designated off-leash dog area that meets its conditions. Owners must be 16 or older, bring no more than three dogs, and carry a leash of no more than six feet per dog.
Apple Valley, MN Dogs at Large and Off-Leash Area Rules
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.17
(A) No dogs shall be permitted to run at large in the city at any time, except when within the confines of an off- leash dog area and in compliance with the requirements thereof. Except as otherwise provided, a violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor. (B) Off-leash dog area. The owner or supervisor of a dog may allow the dog to run at large within an off-leash area, provided that the f...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, dogs are regulated by conduct, not breed. A police officer, community service officer or animal control officer can declare a dog dangerous or potentially dangerous on probable cause, and a dangerous dog can be kept only on industrial-zoned (I-1 and I-2) property, never in a residential area.
Apple Valley, MN Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.20
(A) M.S. §§347.50 through 347.565 adopted by reference. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the regulatory and procedural provisions of M.S. §§ 347.50 through 347.565 (commonly referred to as the dangerous dog regulations), as amended through Laws 2008, are hereby incorporated herein and adopted by reference, including the penalty provisions thereof, ... (1) A city police officer, com...
Beekeeping
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, the animal chapter names bees in its definition of FARM ANIMAL, and § 91.06(D)(1)(b) bars keeping farm animals except on property zoned for agricultural uses. The code prints no separate apiary permit or hive standard. Its exclusive household pet list treats insects as caged animals kept inside the residence.
Apple Valley, MN Beekeeping and Bee Hive Rules
Heavy RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.01
FARM ANIMAL. Any of the various species of domestic animals commonly kept for agricultural purposes such as, but not limited to, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, potbellied pigs, pigs, and bees. ... HOUSEHOLD PET. Domestic animals kept for non-commercial and non-agricultural purposes generally housed within the principal structure throughout the entire year, but for purposes of this chapte...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, § 91.06(D) bans skunks, large cats, wolves and other Canidae, wolf and coyote crossbreeds, poisonous snakes, raccoons, piranhas, snakeheads, apes and monkeys, and selling them is also barred. Only the Apple Valley City Council can permit exhibition animals, for up to 30 days.
Apple Valley, MN Exotic and Wild Pet Prohibitions
Heavy RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.06(D)
(D) Keeping of certain animals prohibited. (1) Prohibited animals. No person shall keep, maintain or harbor within the city any of the following animals: (a) Any animal or species prohibited by Minnesota or federal law. ... (c) Any animal or species not defined as a HOUSEHOLD PET. Examples of prohibited animals include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. All skunks, whether captured in t...
Pet Limits
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, no person can keep more than three service animals, or more than three each of dogs, ferrets and cats over four months old, with a combined total of six of those animals per dwelling unit, lot or premise. Licensed kennels, catteries, pet stores, shelters and veterinary clinics are exempt.
Apple Valley, MN Pet Limits: Three Each, Six Combined
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.06(C)
(C) Limitation on number. (1) Purpose. The owning, harboring and keeping on any premise of a large number of pet animals within the city adversely affects the welfare of the entire city due to various noise, odor, health and safety problems resulting from the keeping of a large number of pet animals, which constitute a public nuisance. (2) No person shall keep in any one dwelling unit, lot, or ...
Cat Rules
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, every cat four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and distemper and wear a current vaccination tag on a collar or harness whenever outdoors. An untagged cat off its owner's premises can be impounded. The Apple Valley City Code also limits households to three cats.
Apple Valley, MN Cat Rules: Rabies Tag and Limits
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.04
(A) Every dog, ferret, or cat, four months of age and older, shall be vaccinated against rabies and distemper. The cost of vaccination shall be borne by the owner of the dog, ferret, or cat, whichever is applicable. ... (D) A metal or durable plastic current rabies vaccination tag, issued by the attending veterinarian, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the dog or cat by the...
Microchipping
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, the only microchip mandate in the animal code applies to dogs declared potentially dangerous or dangerous. The owner must implant a microchip, give the city the manufacturer name and identification number, and pay all purchase and implantation costs under § 91.20(D)(1).
Apple Valley, MN Microchip Rule for Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 91.20(D)(1)
(D) Requirements for dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs. ... then the owner shall immediately comply with the requirements of this chapter, the provisions of M.S. §§ 347.50 to 347.565 and the following: (1) Implant a microchip in the dog for identification, and provide to the city the name of the microchip manufacturer and identification number. All costs related to the purchase and implan...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, an animal hospital or clinic is a permitted use in the GB general business district when contained within a building, under § 155.126(I). The code repeats that limit in other business districts, and Business Park clinics can have no exterior storage or animal runs.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Apple Valley, Minnesota
Light RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 155.126(I)
§ 155.126 PERMITTED USES. ... Within any GB district, no structure or land shall be used, except for one or more of the following uses or uses deemed similar by the City Council: ... (I) Animal hospital or clinic when contained within a building;
Bird Protection
In the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, no person can disturb or interfere with any birds or animals kept or found in a city park, and hunting or trapping in parks is prohibited. The rule is in Apple Valley Code of Ordinances § 95.03(K), with hunting and trapping covered by § 95.03(I).
Apple Valley, MN Rules on Disturbing Birds in Parks
Light RestrictionsApple Valley Code of Ordinances § 95.03(I), (K)
(I) Firearms and bows and arrows. No person shall discharge or display any firearms, air guns, shot guns, rifles, pistols, revolvers, air rifles or BB guns. The use of bows and arrows, except in designated areas, is prohibited. Hunting or trapping is prohibited. ... (K) Park animals. No person shall disturb or interfere with any birds or animals kept or found therein. ... (U) Exemptions. City a...
Looking for Dakota County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apple Valley city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dakota County →