Animal Ordinances in Jackson, MS (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Jackson, Mississippi, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Jackson lets residents keep horses, cows, mules or cattle only with the county health department's written consent, while swine are flatly prohibited citywide. City Code Sec. 18-7 governs; a separate rule bars selling chickens or ducklings under eight weeks old in small lots.
Jackson Rules for Keeping Livestock and Poultry
Some RestrictionsJackson City Code Sec. 18-7
(a)Horses, cows, mules or cattle. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep within the corporate limits of the city a cow, mule, horse, or any cattle in any barn, stable, or on a lot, unless the owner of such animals shall obtain the written consent of the county health department.(b)Swine. The keeping of swine within the city limits is hereby prohibited.
Dog Leash Laws
Jackson prohibits letting any animal run at large within city limits. City Code Sec. 18-13 lets animal control impound a loose dog or issue a $50.00 violation notice payable within 72 hours before a criminal warrant is sought.
Jackson's Dogs Running at Large Ordinance
Some RestrictionsJackson City Code Sec. 18-13
(a)Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal to permit it to run at large within the corporate limits of the city.(b)Impoundment of animals at large. Animals running at large may be impounded as provided in sections 18-56 and 18-57.(c)Violation notice; penalty; failure to pay; warrant; penalty for violation of section. In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found...
Breed Restrictions
Jackson does not ban dog breeds by name; instead Article IV lets the animal control director declare any dog "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" by conduct. City Code Sec. 18-101 through 18-109 require registration, a proper enclosure, and a four-foot lead and muzzle for a declared dog.
Jackson Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsJackson City Code Sec. 18-101
(a)"Dangerous dog" means any dog that: (1)Causes an injury to a person or domestic animal; or (2)Has been designated as a potentially dangerous dog and engages in behavior that poses a threat to public safety as described in paragraph (f) of this section...(f)"Potentially dangerous dog" means a dog that may reasonably be assumed to pose a threat to public safety as demonstrated by any of the fo...
Exotic Pets
Jackson outright bans keeping any wild animal as a pet and bars displaying wild animals for exhibition at homes, roadside zoos or pet stores. City Code Sec. 18-8 lets the superintendent of animal control seize a wild animal kept in violation, with exceptions only for zoos, circuses and performing animal exhibitions.
Jackson Ban on Keeping Wild Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsJackson City Code Sec. 18-8
(a)Display or exhibition. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises, or in any roadside zoo or pet store, any wild animal for display or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. This subsection shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, or circuses.(b)Pets. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a ...
Cat Rules
Jackson requires every cat three months or older to carry a current rabies vaccination and wear a metal tag at all times. City Code Sec. 18-92 and Sec. 18-93 set the requirement; an impounded cat costs $20.00 plus $6.00 per day to redeem under Sec. 18-56.
Jackson Cat Vaccination, Tag and Impoundment Rules
Some RestrictionsJackson City Code Sec. 18-92
Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog or cat three months of age or older within the city shall have that animal vaccinated against rabies with the approved dosage of an approved antirabic virus (vaccine) properly administered by one legally authorized to do so. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have in his possession any dog or cat not so vaccinated. E...
Microchipping
Jackson does not require microchips for ordinary pet dogs. The mandate applies only after Animal Control formally classifies a dog as dangerous or potentially dangerous: City Code Sec. 18-106 requires that dog be implanted with a microchip and its owner-ID information registered with the animal control authority before a certificate of registration issues.
Jackson Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsJackson, MS Code of Ordinances § 18-106(a)(6)
(a)The animal control director or his/her designee shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog if the owner establishes to the satisfaction of the animal control authority that: ... (6)The potentially dangerous dog has been implanted with a microchip containing owner identification information. The microchip information must be register...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Jackson's Zoning Ordinance controls where veterinary clinics may open and whether outdoor animal space triggers extra review. In the C80-C3 General Commercial Subdistrict a fully enclosed clinic is allowed by right, but a clinic with outdoor dog runs, and every vet clinic in the C80-C2 Limited Commercial Subdistrict, needs a discretionary Use Permit first.
Jackson Zoning Rules for Veterinary Clinics
Some RestrictionsJackson Zoning Ordinance §§ 706.07.1-B(19), 706.07.2-B(15)-(16) (C80-C3 General Commercial Subdistrict)
706.07.1-B Uses Permitted: ... 19. Veterinarian clinics and kennels, where all activities are fully enclosed (no outside dog runs, etc.) ... 706.07.2-B Uses Which May Be Permitted as Use Permits: The following Use Permits are permitted provided they are established in accordance with the procedures and provisions of this Ordinance: ... 15. Veterinarian clinics and kennels. 16. Veterinary clinic...
Looking for Hinds County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Jackson city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Hinds County →