Animal Ordinances in Davenport, IA (2026)
4 verified animal ordinances for Davenport, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Davenport allows up to six hens (no roosters) on single-family lots with a permit and a completed chicken-keeping class. Coops must sit 10 feet from lot lines and 25 feet from any principal structure. Other livestock is banned outside agricultural zoning.
Davenport Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 6.06.030 (Urban Chickens)
Only a maximum of six female chickens (hens) are allowed for each tract of land.
Dog Leash Laws
Davenport requires a dog off the owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet under the control of a competent handler. Dogs and cats must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, and animals running at large may be impounded.
Davenport Dog Leash & At-Large Laws
Some RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 6.04.060(A)(4)
When the animal is being walked off the premises of its owner or custodian so long as the animal is on a leash not more than six feet in length and under the control of a person competent to restrain and control the animal.
Breed Restrictions
Davenport has no breed-specific ban; pit bulls and other breeds are legal. The city regulates individual dogs by behavior. A dog declared dangerous under the 2025 ordinance must be euthanized or microchipped and rehomed outside city limits within 14 days.
Davenport Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 6.04.010(M) (dangerous dog defined)
DANGEROUS DOG - 1. Means a dog that has: a. Killed a human being; b. Taken aggressive action that caused a serious injury as defined in Iowa Code § 702.18 to a human; c. Killed another domesticated animal, excluding fowl; d. Twice within a forty-eight-month period attacked, bitten, or otherwise caused an injury to a person engaged in lawful activity.
Exotic Pets
Davenport bans keeping wild, exotic, or dangerous animals, including venomous snakes, large cats, primates, bears, wolves, foxes, and non-fowl fur-bearers, under Section 6.04.100. Violators face immediate seizure, and an animal roaming at large may be destroyed.
Davenport Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDavenport, IA, Municipal Code § 6.04.100(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, maintain, sell or traffic in any of the following wild, exotic or dangerous animals: 1. All poisonous snakes and poisonous reptiles; all nonpoisonous snakes greater than 10 feet in length; Gila monsters, alligators, crocodiles and caimans;