Animal Ordinances in Independence, MO (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Independence, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Independence, Missouri lets residents keep up to six chicken hens (no roosters) for non-commercial use if the coop sits at least six feet from the property line and 50 feet from any other residence. Larger flocks and other small animals follow a graduated setback table under City Code § 3.02.006.
Independence Backyard Chicken Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.02.006
A. Small animals and fowl shall be kept in the following manner: ... Up to six chicken hens (no roosters), for non-commercial purposes only | Kept in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage | No requirement | Six feet | 50 feet ... C. All fowl shall be kept in such manner as to prevent any public nuisance or health hazard. D. Any number of small animals and fowl including roosters may be kept on land ...
Dog Leash Laws
Independence requires every dog owner to keep their dog under restraint at all times, whether by fenced yard, leash, tether, or an approved electronic containment system.
Independence Dog Restraint Requirement
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.03.002
A.The owner of any dog shall keep his or her dog under restraint at all times.B.Dogs may be restrained by electronic containment systems under the following conditions:1.Perimeter or confinement areas must be signed in a conspicuous way so as to provide notice of confinement to pedestrians.2.Systems must be installed, operated and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions to include t...
Breed Restrictions
Independence repealed its breed-specific pit bull ban in 2023 and now declares dogs 'dangerous' based on behavior, requiring a permit, insurance, and secure confinement.
Independence Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.03.008
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit a dog owned by him/her, or a dog upon any premises occupied by him/her or under his/her control to demonstrate the behavior of a dangerous dog. For purposes of this section, a dangerous dog means any dog, other than a police dog used to assist Law Enforcement Officers acting in an official capacity, which demonstrates any of the following behavior:1...
Beekeeping
Independence caps backyard hives with a strict 50-foot setback from property lines and streets, restricts placement to side or rear yards or rooftops, and requires a flyway barrier and water source to keep bees away from neighbors.
Independence Beekeeping Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.04.004(C)
a.No person shall establish or maintain any hive or apiary or keep any bees on any premises closer than 50 feet to the property line of an adjoining property.b.No person shall establish or maintain any hive or apiary or keep any bees on any premises closer than 50 feet to the exterior line of the travel portion of a public street or sidewalk.c.Hives are permitted only in the side and rear yards...
Exotic Pets
Independence bans keeping wild animals as pets and bars exotic animals or reptiles too, except common birds, fish, and nonpoisonous reptiles; alligators, crocodiles, and caimans are never exempt.
Independence Wild and Exotic Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.04.001(A)-(B)
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell, keep or permit to be kept on any premises any wild animals as a pet or for display or exhibition purposes except as otherwise provided by law. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell, keep or permit to be kept on any premises any exotic animal or reptile. Canaries, finches, parakeets, love birds, parrots, softbill birds, fishes fo...
Wildlife Feeding
Independence bars knowingly feeding any wild animal within city limits, though bird and squirrel feeders, garden and livestock feed, and short-term aid to injured or orphaned wildlife are allowed.
Independence Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.04.002(A)-(B)
A. No person shall knowingly feed any wild animal within the corporate limits of the City. B. Exceptions: 1. Any person who feeds or provides food for less than 24 hours to a trapped, injured or unweaned wild animal until the animal can be turned over to a licensed wildlife specialist. 2. Any person with a bird feeder intended for birds or a squirrel feeder intended for squirrels, provided reas...
Pet Limits
Independence residences may keep no more than four dogs or cats total, in any combination, once the animals are older than three months.
Independence Four-Pet Household Limit
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.03.001
It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of a residence to keep or to allow to be kept more than four dogs or cats or any combination thereof, over the age of three months. Grooming shops, kennels, performing animal exhibitions, pet shops, veterinary hospitals and animal shelters licensed by the City License Officer shall be exempt from this section.
Cat Rules
Independence allows caregivers to maintain community cat colonies under a TNR program, but requires ear-tipping and sterilization of every colony cat and 80 percent neighbor consent for colonies of five or more.
Independence Community Cat Colony Rules
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.03.012(D), (E)
D. Caregivers of five or more community cats must obtain the permission of 80 percent of their neighbors located within 200 feet from the property where the cats will be maintained. E. It shall be unlawful to maintain a colony with more than ten community cats in areas zoned residential, commercial or industrial.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Independence requires any cat over four months old that is allowed outdoors to be sterilized, giving owners 14 days to comply after a warning, with fines up to $500 for violations.
Independence Outdoor Cat Sterilization Law
Significant RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.03.011
A. It shall be unlawful for any owner of any kitten/cat over the age of four months to permit such kitten/cat to go or remain outdoors, unless such kitten/cat has been sterilized. B. Any owner determined to be in violation of this section may be issued a written warning or a general ordinance summons requiring said owner to have the kitten/cat sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 14 day...
Pet Store Rules
Independence requires pet shops and other commercial animal establishments to hold a city license and a Director's permit, and bars them from selling wild or exotic animals, puppies or kittens under eight weeks, or unvaccinated animals.
Independence Pet Shop Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsIndependence City Code § 3.02.016(B)(11)
Be prohibited from exhibiting, offering for sale, selling, or bestowing: (a) Any wild or exotic animals; (b) Venomous animals; (c) Puppies or kittens under eight weeks of age; (d) Any domestic animal that has not received recommended, age appropriate vaccinations; (e) Any domestic animal that has not been properly treated to eliminate and prevent diseases or parasites detrimental to the animal'...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Independence permits veterinary clinics by right in its C-1, C-2, and C-3 commercial districts and its B-P/PUD and I-1 industrial districts, but bars them from office and residential zones.
Independence Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-200-05-A.3
Veterinary. An animal care facility operated by licensed veterinary practitioners primarily engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, dentistry, animal surgery, or testing services for licensed veterinary practitioners. Examples include pet clinics, dog and cat hospitals and animal hospitals, veterinarians' offices, and veterinary testing laboratories, or veterinary training facilities. N...
Looking for Jackson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Independence city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Jackson County →