Animal Ordinances in Denver, CO (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Denver may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning or minimum lot size.
Denver Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Denver DRMC §8-16 requires dogs to be on a leash in all public areas. Off-leash is only permitted in designated off-leash enclosures (dog parks). Leash length is not specified.
Denver Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Denver's 30-year pit bull ban was lifted in 2021. Pit bulls now require a Breed-Restricted Permit ($30/year) plus assessment. Permit requires spay/neuter, microchip, and rabies vaccination.
Denver Dog Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Denver allows beekeeping in certain residential zone districts. Maximum 2 hives per lot under 6,000 sq ft. Hives must be registered with Denver Animal Protection. Outdoor storage of bee equipment is prohibited.
Denver Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Denver DRMC Chapter 8 prohibits numerous exotic animals including big cats, wolves, foxes, raccoons, primates, venomous reptiles, and large constrictors. Violations carry significant fines.
Denver Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Denver does not have a standalone hoarding ordinance, but DRMC chapter 8 pet limits combined with Colorado C.R.S. 18-9-202 cruelty to animals reach hoarding cases. Denver Animal Protection investigates with police support and may seize animals.
Animal hoarding addressed via DRMC 8 and Colorado cruelty law
Heavy RestrictionsC.R.S. 18-9-202
18-9-202. Cruelty to animals - aggravated cruelty to animals - service animals - short title. (1)(a) A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence overdrives, overloads, overworks, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, allows to be housed in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical h...
Pet Limits
DRMC chapter 8 limits Denver households to three dogs and three cats per dwelling unit unless a pet animal facility license is obtained. Litters under four months count toward the limit at separate threshold; exemptions exist for licensed kennels.
Denver caps pets at three dogs and three cats per home
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
DRMC chapter 8 requires every cat over six months in Denver to be licensed annually with Denver Animal Protection and current on rabies vaccination under Colorado state law. Cats must not run at large or be a nuisance under DRMC 8-44.
Denver cat rules require rabies vaccination and license
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Denver has no mandatory spay-neuter ordinance for owned dogs and cats. Sterilization is voluntary, but Denver Animal Protection offers low-cost clinics and discounted licenses for altered pets under DRMC chapter 8 fee schedule.
Denver does not mandate spay neuter but offers low-cost clinics
Few RestrictionsMicrochipping
Denver does not require all owned pets to be microchipped, but the Denver Animal Shelter microchips every dog and cat at adoption. DRMC chapter 8 license is tied to the chip, helping reunite lost pets across Denver and Colorado.
Denver microchips every shelter pet at adoption
Few RestrictionsCoyote Management
Denver Parks & Recreation and Colorado Parks & Wildlife share urban coyote response. Denver promotes hazing under its Urban Wildlife Plan; lethal removal is reserved for aggressive animals. Feeding wildlife is prohibited under DRMC chapter 8.
Denver Parks and CPW manage urban coyotes through hazing
Some RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Denver follows Colorado HB20-1084, prohibiting retail pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats. Pet stores may only offer rescue and shelter animals for adoption. DRMC chapter 8 requires pet store licensing through Denver Animal Protection.
Denver pet stores must offer rescue dogs and cats only
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Denver County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denver city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Denver County →