Animal Ordinances in Idaho Falls, ID (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Idaho Falls, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Idaho Falls City Code 5-5-3(D) allows backyard fowl (chickens, quail, ducks, geese). A lot of at least 5,000 sq ft may keep six fowl over 12 weeks old, plus one more per additional 1,250 sq ft, up to 12 total. Roosters (male fowl) are prohibited beyond 12 weeks from hatch. Coops must sit at least 25 feet from neighboring dwellings.
Idaho Falls Backyard Chickens and Fowl Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Idaho Falls City Code 5-6-10 makes it unlawful to let a dog run at large on any public street, sidewalk, park, or on private property without permission. A dog is 'at large' when off the owner's property and not under restraint or control. All dogs found at large are declared public nuisances and may be impounded.
Idaho Falls Dog Leash and At-Large Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Idaho Falls City Code does not ban or restrict any dog breed. Instead, Chapter 6 regulates individual dogs by behavior through 'at risk' (5-6-13) and 'dangerous' (5-6-14) classifications. Idaho has no statewide breed-specific legislation or preemption, so the city's rules are behavior-based, not breed-based.
Idaho Falls Dog Breed Restrictions (Behavior-Based)
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Idaho Falls City Code 5-5-5 allows keeping honeybees with conditions. Hive limits scale with lot size (2 hives on lots 8,000 sq ft or less, up to 5 hives on a half-acre or more). Hives must be 7 feet from property lines and 30 feet from dwellings, kept only in side/rear yards, and every hive must be registered with the City's Animal Shelter.
Idaho Falls Beekeeping and Beehive Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Idaho Falls City Code 5-5-4 makes it unlawful to keep, own, sell, harbor, or transport any 'wild animal' or hybrid as defined in 5-5-1. The list includes big cats, bears, wolves, foxes, coyotes, nonhuman primates, venomous reptiles, raccoons, skunks, and wolf-dog hybrids. Permitted pets are limited to dogs, cats, canaries, parrots, and fish.
Idaho Falls Exotic and Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Idaho Falls City Code has no general ordinance banning the feeding of wild deer, waterfowl, or other wildlife on private property. The only feeding prohibition in the animal code is Section 5-5-9, which makes it unlawful to feed Idaho Falls Zoo animals where a no-feeding sign is posted. State wildlife law applies elsewhere.
Idaho Falls Wildlife Feeding Rules
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Idaho Falls City Code 5-5-3(A) makes it unlawful to keep horses, mules, oxen, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, fowl, bison, alpaca, guanaco, or llama within the City, regardless of weight, or any other domestic animal over 50 pounds. A narrow exception in 5-5-3(C) lets horses and llamas be kept on land zoned 'RE - Residence Estate.'
Idaho Falls Livestock Keeping Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Idaho Falls City Code has no stand-alone animal-hoarding ordinance, but its two-dog limit (5-6-7), fowl/livestock caps, and nuisance provisions constrain how many animals may be kept. Animal hoarding involving neglect is prosecuted under Idaho's state cruelty statute, Idaho Code Title 25, Chapter 35, which criminalizes confining animals in unsanitary conditions or failing to provide care.
Idaho Falls Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Rules
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Idaho Falls City Code 5-6-7 makes it unlawful to keep more than two dogs on the premises of any one dwelling or business property. Residents may apply for an Annual Additional Dog Permit to keep up to three more dogs (five total), subject to fee, inspection, and a signed property-access agreement.
Idaho Falls Pet Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Idaho Falls City Code 5-6-2 requires cats over four months old to be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, though altered cats with a current registered microchip are exempt from licensing. Section 5-6-11 regulates cats by nuisance (noise, soiling, odors), and cats are exempt from the 'animals at large' prohibition that applies to other animals.