Animal Ordinances in Bowling Green, KY (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Bowling Green, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bowling Green allows up to five non-crowing poultry per property but bans roosters, crowing poultry and peafowl outright. Livestock needs at least two acres, is capped at two head per lot unless the tract is larger, swine are banned citywide, and no livestock may be housed within 100 feet of a neighboring residence, church or school.
Bowling Green Backyard Poultry and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.07, 5-2.01
5-1.07 Poultry Restrictions. a. A maximum of five (5) non-crowing poultry is allowed per property. b. No roosters or crowing poultry or peal fowl are allowed in the City limits. c. It shall be unlawful for the owners of or those having control of poultry in the City to allow such poultry to run at large or off the premises of those owning or controlling same, or fail to confine the poultry as d...
Dog Leash Laws
Off its owner's property, a Bowling Green dog must be restrained by a lead or leash and under a responsible person's control, per Sec. 5-1.08(g), with the sole exception of the enclosed area at H.P. Thomas Bark Park. On the owner's property, the dog must be in a secure enclosure or under direct control, and a stray at large can be seized and impounded.
Bowling Green Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.01, 5-1.08(g)
b. Puppies and dogs: confinement shall mean on the premises of the owner and confined in a secure enclosure or accompanied by the owner on the owner's property and under his/her direct control. If off the premises of the owner, the animal must be restrained by a lead or leash and under the control of a responsible person, or accompanied by a responsible person into an approved off-leash area, a...
Breed Restrictions
Bowling Green does not single out any dog breed. Sec. 5-1.01 defines a 'vicious or dangerous animal' purely by conduct, attacking, biting or physically injuring a person, domestic animal or livestock without provocation, and Sec. 5-1.15 applies its confinement, muzzle and impoundment rules to any animal meeting that behavioral test, regardless of breed.
Bowling Green Has No Breed-Specific Dog Law
Few RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.01, 5-1.15(a)
“Vicious or dangerous animal” shall mean any animal that attacks, bites or physically injures human beings, domestic animals or livestock without adequate provocation. Any animal that without provocation has attacked a human being or other animal shall be presumed vicious or dangerous for purposes of this Chapter. This definition shall not apply to dogs used by law enforcement officers in the p...
Exotic Pets
Keeping an exotic or wild animal in Bowling Green requires written permission from the Neighborhood and Community Services Department on top of any required state Fish and Wildlife permit under Sec. 5-1.16. Any movement of the animal within the city needs separate written city permission, and a non-compliant animal is impounded at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society for up to 30 days at the owner's expense.
Bowling Green Exotic and Wild Animal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.01, 5-1.16
“Exotic or wild animal” shall mean any animal identified by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or Kentucky Revised Statutes as exotic, or inherently dangerous to human health and safety. ... ... a. It is a violation of this Subchapter for any ... one to own, harbor, or keep any exotic or wild animal...
Pet Limits
Bowling Green sets no cap on ordinary household pets, but any property that for profit keeps, breeds, boards or kennels more than six cats and dogs at one time must obtain a Multiple Animal Permit from Neighborhood and Community Services. Permitted facilities may house no more than ten dogs or cats in any single primary enclosure.
Bowling Green Multiple Animal Permit Threshold
Light RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.06(a), (b)(4)
a. Any property or premises which for profit keeps, breeds, harbors, boards, grooms or kennels more than a total of six (6) cats and/or dogs at any one time shall obtain a Multiple Animal Permit from the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. 1. This Section shall not apply to the BGWCHS, or any licensed veterinary practice in performance of their normal operations. ... ... 4. Not more...
Cat Rules
In the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky, every cat three months or older must be licensed, registered and rabies-vaccinated through the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. Owners of unaltered cats pay $40 a year versus $10 for spayed cats. The city's Community Cat Program traps, vaccinates and returns feral colonies at no cost to the city, and shields managed community cats from nuisance citations.
Bowling Green Cat Licensing and Community Cat Program
Some RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.02, 5-1.19
5-1.02 License Required. ... It is a violation of this Subchapter for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat within the corporate limits of the City without first having paid a license fee thereon as provided for in this Chapter. ... 5-1.19 Community Cat (Trap-Neuter-Release) Program. a. It shall be the duty of the BGWCHS, or such other persons or organizations as may be designated by...
Pet Groomer Rules
A Bowling Green property that grooms, boards or kennels more than six cats and dogs at one time for profit needs a Multiple Animal Permit from Neighborhood and Community Services under Sec. 5-1.06. The Animal Control Officer must find the facility adequate before issuing it, annual renewal runs on the calendar year, and there is no permit fee.
Bowling Green Pet Grooming Business Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBowling Green Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-1.06(b), (c), (f)
b. Multiple Animal Permits shall be issued only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer that the property where the animals are kept is adequate for such animals. ... ... c. Multiple Animal Permits required under this Section shall cover the period from January 1 through December 31, or part thereof each calendar year. The permit shall be renewed on or before the...