Animal Ordinances in Grand Junction, CO (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Grand Junction, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Grand Junction, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and other poultry cannot run at large; GJMC § 6.08.020 makes it unlawful for an owner to let poultry loose and declares free-roaming fowl a nuisance subject to abatement. Section 6.08.010 further requires that yards or pens keeping fowl, or any stable or pen keeping livestock, be kept clean enough not to become a health hazard.
Grand Junction Poultry At-Large Rule
Light RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 6.08.020
§ 6.08.020. Poultry running at large. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person who is the owner or keeper of any chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys or other poultry to permit the same to run or be at large within the City. (b) The running at large of any chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys or other poultry within the City is hereby declared a nuisance and the same shall be abated as such.
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Grand Junction, GJMC § 6.12.040 requires every dog owner to physically, mechanically or electronically confine their dog so it cannot leave the property or run at large, and any dog off its owner's premises must be under leash control. A leash is defined in § 6.12.020 as a chain, cord or tether no more than 10 feet long that can restrain the dog.
Grand Junction Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 6.12.040
§ 6.12.040. Confinement. ... Confinement Required.No dog owner, or any person who harbors, keeps or is custodian of a dog, shall fail to physically, mechanically or electronically confine the dog. Such confinement shall ensure that the dog cannot leave the premises or be at large. No dog owner, or any person who harbors, keeps or is custodian of the dog, shall fail to prevent the dog from being...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Grand Junction, a dog found dangerous by a court cannot be owned or harbored except under GJMC § 6.12.060's strict conditions: an escape-proof kennel approved by Mesa County Animal Services, or leash and direct control when off the owner's primary residence, plus any court-ordered restrictions. The owner must also obtain an annual special permit and identification tag, expiring December 31, from the City.
Grand Junction Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 6.12.060
§ 6.12.060. Dangerous dogs. ... Prohibited.No person shall own or harbor a dangerous dog within the City, except as provided in this chapter. ... Dangerous Dog – Special Permit Required.The owner of any dog that has been found to be a dangerous dog by any court and is residing within the City shall obtain an annual special permit and identification tag for such animal. The permit shall expire o...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Grand Junction it is unlawful to own, possess, harbor, sell or traffic in specified wild and dangerous animals under GJMC § 6.04.060, including poisonous snakes, primates, non-domestic cats, bears, raccoons and skunks, and wolves or coyotes. The Animal Services Officer has authority to impound, relocate or humanely destroy any such animal found at large in the city.
Grand Junction Wild Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 6.04.060
§ 6.04.060. Prohibition against ownership or sale of certain animals – Wild animals at large. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, sell, or in any other manner traffic in the following species of animals: ... All poisonous snakes and poisonous reptiles; and all nonpoisonous snakes with a length greater than six feet; ... Gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and any oth...
Cat Rules
In the City of Grand Junction, GJMC § 6.12.030 requires every cat over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies, with the veterinarian giving the owner written proof of the shot. Unlike dogs, cats do not need a County license or tag, but an unvaccinated cat that bites someone faces a 10-day quarantine and cannot be vaccinated, sold or euthanized without Animal Services authorization.
Grand Junction Cat Rabies Vaccination Rule
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 6.12.030
§ 6.12.030. Licensing and vaccination. (a) Vaccination Required.No person shall own, keep or harbor in the City any dog or cat over four months of age unless such dog or cat is vaccinated against rabies. ... Certificate of Vaccination and License.After vaccinating a cat for rabies, the veterinarian shall give the owner written certification of such vaccination.
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Grand Junction, a pet-grooming business is zoned as an "Animal care, boarding, or sales" use under the Principal Use Table, triggered once a facility houses or grooms four or more animals of the same species. Depending on the zone district, that use is either allowed by right with administrative approval or requires a Conditional Use Permit.
Pet Groomers in Grand Junction, CO
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code §§ 21.04.020(b)(2), 21.04.020(c)(1)-(c)(2), 21.14.020
All uses required by any unit of local, state, or federal government to have an approval, license, or permit to operate are required to have that local, state, or federal approval, license, or permit in effect at all times, and failure to do so is a violation of this Code. ... Allowed Uses.An "A" indicates the use is allowed by right within the respective zone district. Administrative approval ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Grand Junction, a veterinary or animal clinic cannot operate as a home occupation. GJMC § 21.04.040(e)(2)(iii)(B) lists 'Medical, dental, or animal clinics' among the home occupations that are prohibited outright, regardless of scale, alongside animal care, boarding, or sales conducted from a residence.
Grand Junction Bans Home Animal Clinics
Heavy RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.04.040(e)(2)(iii)(B)
The following home occupations are prohibited regardless of whether they comply with the standards of this subsection. a. Occupations that involve highly combustible or hazardous materials. Occupations where the dimensions, power rating, or weight of equipment and tools used exceed that of normal household equipment and tools. ... ... c. Animal care, boarding or sales. d. Retail sales. e. Medic...
Looking for Mesa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Junction city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Mesa County →