Animal Ordinances in Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cedar Rapids allows up to six permitted hens per lot, no roosters, under Chapter 23A, with a required Animal Control permit, an approved chicken-keeping class, and neighbor notification before you can start.
Cedar Rapids Backyard Chicken Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23A.03
The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract.(b)Only female chickens (hens) are allowed. (030-10) 23A.04 - ZONING DISTRICTS ALLOWED. Permits will be granted only for tracts of land located in residential districts as identified on the current Official Zoning Map on file with the City of Cedar Rapids. (030-10) ...
Dog Leash Laws
Cedar Rapids makes it unlawful for any dog to run at large under Section 23.05(d). Section 23.01 defines "at large" as off the owner's premises unless the animal is on a leash, chain or similar restraint no more than 6 feet long and under control, inside a vehicle, in a licensed kennel or shelter, tagged for a designated off-leash park, or handled by a government agency.
Cedar Rapids Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code §§ 23.01, 23.05(d)
At large: Off the premises of the owner, unless: (1)The animal is on a leash, chain, or similar restraint not more than 6 feet in length and under the control of the owner or walker;(2)The animal is within a motor vehicle;(3)The animal is housed within a veterinary hospital, licensed kennel, pet shop or animal shelter;(4)The animal is wearing an off-leash park permit tag and is within the bound...
Breed Restrictions
Cedar Rapids has no citywide breed ban. Instead, the Animal Control Manager can declare any dog potentially dangerous or dangerous based on bites, attacks, or menacing behavior, then require spay/neuter, microchipping, a secure enclosure, and a muzzle in public.
Cedar Rapids Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23.20
The Animal Control Manager or his/her designee may impose special security and/or care requirements upon the owner of a potentially dangerous animal, such as but not limited to:1.A potentially dangerous animal shall be contained in a proper enclosure to prevent the entry of any person or animal and the escape of said potentially dangerous animal;2.The potentially dangerous animal will be spayed...
Exotic Pets
Cedar Rapids bans owning, keeping or harboring any wild, exotic or dangerous animal within city limits under Section 23.21(a). Narrow exemptions cover accredited zoos, museums and research institutions, licensed circuses and traveling shows, veterinary hospitals treating the animal, and animals under state, federal or Iowa Conservation Commission authority, all conditioned on Animal Welfare Act compliance.
Cedar Rapids Wild and Exotic Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code §§ 23.21, 23.22
(a)No person shall own, keep or harbor a wild or exotic animal or dangerous animal within the city.(b)The following are hereby excluded from the requirements of this section only if they are in compliance with the State and Federal Animal Welfare Act and other regulations:1.Public zoos; fully accredited educational or medical institutions; Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter; public museums where such ...
Wildlife Feeding
Cedar Rapids bars feeding or baiting any wild animal or waterfowl on city-owned public property, from deer and geese to feral cats, with graduated fines for repeat violations and a carve-out only for the Parks Bever Zoo and Old MacDonald's Farm.
Cedar Rapids Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 63.21
No person shall purposely or knowingly feed, bait, or in any manner provide access to food to any wild animal or waterfowl within the corporate limits of the City of Cedar Rapids, on City owned public property. This Section shall not apply to the feeding of animals kept and managed at the Parks and Recreation Bever Zoo and Old McDonald's Farm.
Pet Limits
Cedar Rapids makes it unlawful to harbor or maintain animals in conditions that create unhealthful or unsanitary conditions for people or animals on the premises, letting the Animal Control Manager investigate and pursue court-ordered removal.
Cedar Rapids Animal Hoarding Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23.05(e)
(e)It shall be unlawful to harbor or maintain animals in such a condition as to create unhealthful or unsanitary conditions for humans or animals occupying the premises. If such conditions exist, the Manager or designee is authorized to make an investigation. After notice and meeting with the person or persons occupying or maintaining the residence or premises, or the persons harboring or maint...
Cat Rules
Cedar Rapids requires every cat over four months old to wear a current rabies tag with owner ID whenever it is off the owner's property, and makes it unlawful for any cat to run at large under Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code.
Cedar Rapids Cat Tag and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23.05(a), (d)
(a)The owner shall attach a current rabies tag and permanent identification to their cat or dog's collar with the owner's name, address and telephone number at all times when off the owner's property. Identification need not be worn if the animal is micro-chipped and the microchip is registered in the owner's name. A rabies tag is not required if the cat or dog has a veterinarian's exemption st...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
A Cedar Rapids dog or cat that is cited a third time for running at large while unaltered must be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense. Section 23.05(d) and the matching impoundment provision, Section 23.08(c), make the mandate automatic on the third at-large violation, on top of any fines and microchipping fees the impoundment already carries.
Cedar Rapids Mandatory Spay Neuter Rule
Heavy RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code §§ 23.05(d), 23.08(c)
(d)It shall be unlawful for an animal to run at large. A third violation of running at large by an unaltered animal shall result in mandatory spay/neuter of the animal, at the owner's expense. ... (c)A third violation of running at large by an unaltered animal shall result in mandatory spay/neuter of the animal at the owner's expense.
Microchipping
Cedar Rapids requires a microchip to be implanted in every animal picked up running at large or impounded, except permitted and banded urban chickens, with the cost added to the impoundment fee.
Cedar Rapids Impounded Animal Microchip Law
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23.08(b)
(b)A microchip shall be implanted in all at large and impounded animals other than permitted and banded urban chickens. The microchip identification shall become part of the at large animal's record, and the impoundment fee shall be increased to include the cost of the microchip implantation and registration.(c)A third violation of running at large by an unaltered animal shall result in mandato...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Cedar Rapids requires a free city rehabilitator permit before anyone treats or houses injured wildlife, layered on top of the state DNR Rehabilitator Permit; the city permit renews annually through Animal Control.
Cedar Rapids Wildlife Rehabilitator Permit
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 23.29
A city rehabilitator permit issued without fee to someone possessing an Iowa DNR Rehabilitator Permit maintained for identifying location and type of animal shall be obtained from the Cedar Rapids Animal Control Department.(a)Permits are renewable and expire after one year.(b)A rehabilitator shall comply with all regulations of Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code of the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Looking for Linn County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cedar Rapids city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Linn County →