Animal Ordinances in Council Bluffs, IA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Council Bluffs, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Council Bluffs requires a farm animal permit before keeping chickens or other farm animals, caps chickens at ten per property under CBMC 4.20.370, and bans roosters entirely. Permits run three years, need neighbor consent, and must satisfy zoning setbacks and lot-size minimums.
Council Bluffs Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code §§ 4.20.280, 4.20.370
No person, firm, association or corporation in the city of Council Bluffs shall have in their possession or control, or keep or harbor any farm animals, as defined in CBMC 4.20.020, without having first obtained a permit to do so from the administrative authority, which permit shall be issued only after payment of the required fee and after inspection of the premises by the administrative autho...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Council Bluffs, every animal owner must restrain their animal at all times to keep it from running at large, under CBMC 4.20.050. Breaking that rule is a simple misdemeanor under CBMC 8.02.020, and an animal caught at large is seized and impounded, with an enforcement and impound fee due before the owner gets it back.
Council Bluffs Dogs and Animals at Large Restraint Rule
Some RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.20.050
The owner of any animal shall at all times restrain such animal to prevent it from being or running at large. Failure to do so shall constitute a simple misdemeanor subject to the penalty provisions of CBMC 8.02.020. An animal found at large by the administrative authority shall be seized and impounded.
Breed Restrictions
Council Bluffs bans pit bulls outright. CBMC 4.20.112 makes it unlawful to own, possess, keep, harbor, transport or sell any American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or substantially similar dog anywhere in the city, with impoundment and destruction the default outcome.
Council Bluffs Pit Bull Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.20.112
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, any pit bull. ... Pit bull: ... Any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds (more ...
Beekeeping
In the City of Council Bluffs, keeping bees is legal but capped: residential lots under an acre get two hives, larger lots two per acre, and every hive must clear setbacks from dwellings, property lines, schools, parks, pools and playgrounds under CBMC 4.22.020.
Council Bluffs Beekeeping and Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.22.020
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, establish, or maintain any apiary, or keep any bees in or upon any premises within the corporate limits of the city unless the bees are kept in accordance with the provisions of this section. No person shall place more than two hives on any premises located in a residentially-zoned area of less than 1 acre. Residentially-zoned properties in excess o...
Exotic Pets
Council Bluffs bans keeping wild and dangerous animals as pets. CBMC 4.20.090 makes it unlawful to keep any animal defined as dangerous per se under CBMC 4.20.020, a list that names lions, bears, wolves, alligators, venomous snakes and dozens of other wild species by taxonomic family.
Council Bluffs Wild and Dangerous Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code §§ 4.20.020, 4.20.090, 4.20.100
Dangerous animal, per se: The following animals which shall be deemed to be dangerous animals, per se: ... Carnivora of the family Felidae, which includes lions, lynx, bobcats, and hybrids, but excludes domestic cats; ... Carnivora of the family ... Ursidae, which includes bears; ... Crocodilia which includes crocodiles and alligators; ... Squamata of the suborder Ophidia (snakes) which are ven...
Pet Limits
Council Bluffs caps ordinary households at four cats or four dogs, or a combination of no more than six animals over six months old, under CBMC 4.20.273. Noncommercial catteries and kennels licensed under the chapter may keep up to six animals total instead.
Council Bluffs Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.20.273
It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor at any time more than four cats or four dogs or any combination of more than six animals over the age of six months per dwelling unit in the city; provided, however, this section shall not apply to catteries or kennels as licensed under this chapter. Noncommercial catteries/kennels shall be limited to a maximum of six animals per dwelling.
Cat Rules
Council Bluffs requires every cat six months or older to carry a current city license and rabies tag under CBMC 4.20.230. A licensed, vaccinated cat still must not damage public or private property while at large, and an unlicensed or damaging cat can be seized by Animal Control. Habitually harboring a stray cat without surrendering it to Animal Control violates CBMC 4.20.272.
Council Bluffs Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code §§ 4.20.050, 4.20.230, 4.20.272
An owner of a cat bearing a current rabies vaccination tag and license must restrain such animal from running at large to the extent necessary to prevent it from causing damage to either public or private property. Failure to do so shall constitute a simple misdemeanor. A cat found at large by the administrative authority not bearing current rabies vaccination tag and license, or a cat wearing ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Council Bluffs has no citywide spay or neuter mandate for pet owners. The only mandatory sterilization requirement in CBMC 4.20 applies once a dog is designated dangerous: CBMC 4.20.084 forces the owner to have the dog spayed or neutered within thirty days if it is not already fixed.
Council Bluffs Dangerous Dog Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.20.084
Upon notification of a dangerous dog designation, the owner shall be required to do the following within 30 days of receiving such designation: ... If the dog is not currently spayed or neutered, require the dog to receive the procedure;
Microchipping
Council Bluffs does not require microchipping pets citywide, but CBMC 4.20.060 mandates a microchip be inserted in every impounded dog or cat, at the owner's expense, before it is released. A dog designated dangerous under CBMC 4.20.084 must also be microchipped within thirty days if it is not already.
Council Bluffs Impounded Pet Microchip Rule
Light RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code §§ 4.20.060, 4.20.084
Any dog or cat that has been impounded shall have an identifying microchip inserted under its skin at its owner's expense prior to being released to the owner. The fee for this procedure shall be at current pricing as set forth by the animal shelter. ... If the dog is not microchipped under the CBMC, require such dog to be microchipped;
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Council Bluffs, retail pet shops may sell dogs and cats, but every animal must be vaccinated against distemper with a certificate given to the buyer, and no pet shop may sell a dangerous animal or an animal deemed dangerous per se. CBMC 4.20.045 also sets housing, feeding, sanitation and record-keeping conditions any licensed commercial animal establishment must meet.
Council Bluffs Pet Shop Sale and Care Conditions
Some RestrictionsCouncil Bluffs Municipal Code § 4.20.045
Every dog and cat offered for sale shall have been vaccinated against distemper. A certificate providing the name of the veterinarian and the date and treatment must be provided to the purchaser at the time of sale. ... No pet shop shall sell a dangerous animal or dangerous animal, per se, as defined in CBMC 4.20.020 (Cat).