Animal Ordinances in Lincoln, NE (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for Lincoln, Nebraska, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lincoln requires a permit to keep chickens, fowl, rabbits, or large animals like horses and goats, caps how many you can keep by lot size, and bans roosters and swine outright.
Lincoln Chicken and Livestock Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.040
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor small animals or fowl, without a permit, in numbers equal to or greater than the minimum provided in Table 6.04.040. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor small animals or fowl as follows: 1. In numbers greater than the maximum provided in Table 6.04.040; 2. Within pens, enclosures or shelters closer than fifty feet to a neig...
Dog Leash Laws
Lincoln bans letting any animal except pigeons run loose or at large citywide, and Animal Control can impound it or, if it is uncontrollable and hazardous, destroy it without prior owner notice.
Lincoln Leash Law: No Animals Running at Large
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.120
No person keeping or harboring any animal shall permit such animal, except pigeons, to go loose or run at large. In the event that an animal found running at large is creating a hazard to life or property, such animal shall be destroyed if it cannot be confined or captured. The Director shall not be required to give notice to the owner of such an animal prior to its destruction.
Breed Restrictions
Lincoln has no breed ban. LMC Chapter 6.10 uses a behavior-based dangerous and potentially dangerous dog declaration system. Dogs are evaluated on bite history, not breed.
Lincoln Dangerous Dog Declarations (No Breed Ban)
Some RestrictionsNebraska Revised Statute 54-617, Chapter 54 (Dangerous Dogs definitions)
Nebraska Revised Statute 54-617. Dangerous dogs; terms, defined. For purposes of sections 54-617 to 54-624: (1) Animal control authority means an entity authorized to enforce the animal control laws of a county, city, or village or this state and includes any local law enforcement agency or other agency designated by a county, city, or village to enforce the animal control laws of such county, ...
Beekeeping
Lincoln caps hives at one per 1,500 square feet and requires a 50-foot setback from neighboring dwellings unless a 6-foot flight barrier is used.
Lincoln Beekeeping Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.16.010
No person shall establish or maintain any hive or box where bees are kept, or keep any bees on the premises within fifty feet of any dwelling (except the dwelling of the owner of such bees), or within fifteen feet of any lot line, sidewalk, alley, or other public way. Notwithstanding, bees may be kept within fifteen feet of a lot line, sidewalk, alley, or other public way when a barrier at leas...
Exotic Pets
Lincoln prohibits owning, keeping, or harboring any unusual or wild animal within city limits, with narrow exemptions for zoos, universities, humane societies, and licensed wildlife rescues.
Lincoln Bans Unusual and Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.020
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to own, keep, or harbor any unusual or wild animal within the corporate limits of the City of Lincoln. This section shall not apply to: (1) a public zoo, circus, or carnival that maintains all legally required permits under applicable state or federal law, including applicable rules and regulations of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and fede...
Pet Limits
Once a Lincoln household qualifies as a multi-dog or multi-cat household, a Director permit is mandatory, and even permit holders are capped at five dogs or five cats over six months old, with mandatory spay/neuter and no breeding.
Lincoln Multi-Pet Household Permit Cap
Significant RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code §§ 6.08.184(e), 6.12.134(b)
e. It shall be unlawful for any multi-dog household permit holder to own, keep, or harbor more than five dogs over six months of age on the premises. ... b. Permit shall be voided when the number of cats is reduced to the legal limit of five cats over the age of six months or the owner receives a cattery permit.
Cat Rules
Lincoln requires every cat over six months old to be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, caps ownership at five cats without a permit, and bans letting cats run at large unless licensed and spayed or neutered.
Lincoln Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.12.030
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to own a cat over six months of age without procuring a license for such cat as provided in this chapter. License fees shall be set by the Director, subject to approval of the Mayor. (Ord. 19416 §2; July 19, 2010: prior Ord. 18092 §75; November 18, 2002: Ord. 15517 §3; April 9, 1990: P.C. §8.74.020: Ord. 11360 §4; May 12, 1975: Ord. 7263 §2; A...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lincoln requires proof of surgical sterilization, or a secured deposit, before Animal Control releases any dog or cat impounded two or more times for code violations.
Lincoln Mandatory Spay/Neuter After Repeat Impounds
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.150
Proof of surgical sterilization or a deposit to secure sterilization for any dog or cat that has been impounded two or more times for violations of this title according to Animal Control records. Such proof or deposit shall be provided prior to the release of the impounded dog or cat as follows: i. For proof of surgical sterilization, the owner shall provide a current written statement signed ...
Microchipping
Lincoln requires owners of dogs declared dangerous or potentially dangerous to have the dog microchipped by a licensed veterinarian within fifteen days of the declaration, as part of mandatory registration with Animal Control.
Lincoln Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.10.035 (Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dogs — Owner's Duties)
The owner of any dog that has been declared potentially dangerous or dangerous shall have the following duties: a. Within fifteen days of the declaration, the owner shall have the dog neutered or spayed; b. Within fifteen days of the declaration, the owner shall have the dog implanted with a microchip identification number by a licensed veterinarian;
Pet Store Rules
Lincoln allows pet shops to sell dogs and cats but requires an $85 annual permit, biannual inspections, and bans selling sick animals or misrepresenting breed or sex.
Lincoln Pet Shop Permit & Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code §§ 6.04.160, 6.04.165
No pet shop or groom shop shall be operated or maintained in the City of Lincoln without a permit issued by the Director. Before such a permit is issued, an inspection of the premises shall be conducted by the Director. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner, proprietor, employee, or volunteer of any pet shop to knowingly sell or offer for sale a sick or ill pet animal or misrepresent the breed...
Pet Groomer Rules
Lincoln requires a Director-issued permit before operating any pet shop or groom shop, backed by mandatory sanitation inspections and annual fees of $85 to $100.
Lincoln Pet Groomer & Pet Shop Permits
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.160
No pet shop or groom shop shall be operated or maintained in the City of Lincoln without a permit issued by the Director. Before such a permit is issued, an inspection of the premises shall be conducted by the Director. Upon a finding by the Director that the premises are in compliance with the law and upon payment of the following fees, said permit shall be issued: Pet Shop $85.00 Gro...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Lincoln requires veterinary facilities and kennels operating as special permit uses to get Planning Commission approval, meet zoning setbacks, screen outdoor exercise areas, and restrict outdoor animal use to daytime hours.
Lincoln Veterinary Facility Special Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 27.63.790 (Chapter 27.63, Special Permits — Veterinary Facility or Kennel)
Veterinary facilities and/or kennels which do not comply with the requirements for a permitted conditional use under Section 27.62.100 may be allowed by special permit in such districts under the following conditions: 1. All outdoor areas and fences surrounding outdoor areas shall meet the setbacks of the zoning district. 2. All outdoor areas shall be screened 100% from the ground to six feet i...
Bird Protection
Lincoln makes it unlawful to tease, injure, kill, catch, or remove birds from any city park, protecting wild birds in parkland from harassment.
Lincoln Bans Harming Park Birds
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 12.08.220 (Title 12, Parks — Mistreating Animals)
It shall be unlawful for any person to in any manner tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure, kill, or remove from any park any animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish; provided, that it shall not be unlawful to catch fish pursuant to state fishing laws in city-owned ponds, lakes, and waterways, except those located within golf courses. https://online.encodeplu...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Lincoln requires anyone operating an animal rescue organization to hold a permit from the Director, with nonprofit proof, fees, and housing limits.
Lincoln Animal Rescue Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.235
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or operate an animal rescue organization within the City of Lincoln without first having obtained a permit therefor from the Director. An application shall include the organization's proof of nonprofit status and permit fee... e. The animal rescue organization permit shall expire December 31st of each calendar year for which issued... f. No rescue...
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