Animal Ordinances in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.019

No person shall possess or harbor a domestic farm animal unless approved by the Department of Planning Services.

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.020 / § 91.001; § 97.60

RESTRAINT. An animal is properly restrained when: (1) Secured by a leash or lead and under the physical control of the animal's owner or attending party; or (2) Confined within the exterior boundaries of the owner's or harborer's real property... No person owning...a dog, shall permit such dog to be in any public park unless such dog is upon a secure leash not more than six feet long held conti...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 95.02

Beehives shall be allowed to be kept within the city limits as long as they do not exceed: Two (2) hives for properties that are up to 6,000 square feet; and ... Eight (8) hives for properties that are greater than 25,000 square feet. Hives must not be nearer than 50 feet to any street or 20 feet to any alley or division line between lots or parts of lots of another.

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.036

Ownership, possession, or maintenance of a wild animal indigenous to the State of Indiana is prohibited. No other wild or exotic animal shall be owned, possessed, or maintained without all required federal and state permits.

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.054(A)

No person shall own or harbor more than five dogs or seven cats or a combination of seven dogs and cats unless approved by the Department of Planning Services.    (B)   A person owning or harboring more than one unaltered dog or cat over the over the age of five months shall be required to obtain a kennel/cattery permit.       (1)   A person who complies with the numbers limits but who owns or ...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.050(A)

An owner or harborer of a dog or cat over the age of five months shall obtain a current pet registration for the animal(s) as provided in this section.       (1)   Animal welfare organizations, municipal animal control facilities, governmental agencies, and community cat providers shall be exempt from this requirement.    (B)   A durable tag stamped with registration number and year of issuance...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.105(13)

To provide that all dogs and/or cats released for adoption shall be spayed or neutered, implanted with an electronic microchip, and to provide for a program to monitor said spay/neuter and microchip program.       (14)   Any violations of the Department's animal adoption contract or foster to adopt contract shall result in impoundment of the animal(s). Return of the animal(s) to the adopting pa...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.050(C)

A person who owns a surgically sterilized dog or cat may, as an alternative to an annual pet registration, obtain a lifetime pet registration for the dog or cat with a microchip implant. This lifetime pet registration shall continue as long the person is the registered owner.       (1)   Each lifetime pet registration holder will be issued a durable stainless steel tag with a registration numbe...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.059

(A) A person operating a pet shop shall obtain a pet shop permit. Approval from the Department of Planning Services is required prior to permit issuance. Pet shop permits must be obtained annually. ... (G) No puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks shall be offered for sale, sold, transferred, exchanged for compensation or given away; with the exception of a puppy or kitten, relinquished t...

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.058

A person who has a grooming establishment shall obtain a grooming establishment permit. Approval from the Department of Planning Services is required prior to permit issuance. Permit must be obtained annually. ... Cost. $100.