Animal Ordinances in Louisville, KY (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Louisville, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Louisville Metro requires livestock heavier than 350 pounds to be kept on at least one acre, limits backyard pigs to three or seven depending on lot size, and sets acreage and fencing rules for poultry.
Louisville Metro Backyard Livestock & Poultry Rules
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.001 (definition of "RESTRAINT," subsection (5))
All livestock weighing more than 350 pounds, excluding ponies, donkeys, and miniature horses, and with the exception to pigs as outlined in subsection (6), must be kept on an individual tract, lot, or parcel (as defined in the Land Development Code) of at least one acre or more; except the properties and facilities of Louisville Zoo, the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Police Department, Chur...
Dog Leash Laws
Louisville Metro requires every dog to be under restraint at all times, and off the owner's property that means on a lead or leash under a responsible person's control.
Louisville Metro Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.002
All animals, excluding community cats, shall be kept under restraint at all times, as defined in this chapter, except as otherwise provided herein, and any deviation or violation thereof is strictly prohibited. (1994 Jeff. Code, § 91.003) (Jeff. Ord. 17-1990, adopted and effective 12-19- 1990; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 97-2003, approved 5-16-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 233-2006, approved 1-4-20...
Breed Restrictions
Louisville Metro judges dogs by behavior, not breed: a dog is declared dangerous or potentially dangerous only after a bite, attack, or fight-related offense.
Louisville Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.001 (definitions) and § 91.150
DANGEROUS DOG. Except as exempted in § 91.150(B) a dangerous dog is: (1) Any dog...which when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner commits a severe attack on any person or inflicts death or serious injury to any person; (2) Any dog which maims or kills domestic pets or livestock when not under restraint; (3) Any dog which is used in the commission of a crime...including, but not limited to dogfi...
Exotic Pets
Louisville Metro bans keeping wild, exotic, or endangered animals as pets, with narrow exceptions for zoos, circuses, wildlife rehabilitators, and licensed research institutions.
Louisville Bans Owning Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.008
The keeping or holding of wild animals that are inherently dangerous wildlife, exotic wildlife, endangered species, or wildlife whose importation or possession is prohibited by any federal or state law or regulation is prohibited, and declared to be unlawful. This section shall not apply to the following: (1) Any zoological garden accredited by the American Association of Zoological Par...
Pet Limits
Louisville Metro caps outdoor dogs at three per lot up to half an acre, seven on lots between a half-acre and two acres, not counting puppies, unless the property holds an active Class A, B, or C kennel license.
Louisville Metro Outdoor Dog Limits
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.040
(A) No more than three dogs, excluding puppies, may be quartered outdoors on an individual tract, lot or parcel, or dwelling unit, (as defined in the Land Development Code), which is .5 acres or less and has on such property any building or structure containing a residential use. (B) No more than seven dogs, excluding puppies, may be quartered outdoors on an individual tract, lot or parcel, or ...
Cat Rules
Louisville Metro requires every cat to be licensed through Metro Animal Services with proof of rabies vaccination, while community cats under a caretaker's care are exempt from both licensing and leash restraint.
Louisville Metro Cat Licensing and Restraint Rules
Significant RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.021(A), (A)(5)
Every owner of an animal who resides or whose animal resides in Jefferson County and who is regulated by this chapter shall apply to MAS for any appropriate license required by this chapter. ... License tags and rabies vaccination tags shall be required for each dog or cat four months of age or older. License and vaccination tags shall be firmly attached to a harness or collar worn by the animal.
Microchipping
Louisville Metro requires every dog and cat to carry a registered microchip, with fines up to $500 per violation for noncompliance.
Louisville Metro Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.020
A person who owns a dog or cat in Jefferson County shall ensure that each dog or cat owned by that person bears a permanent means of identification through a microchip, as defined by this chapter, implanted in the dog or cat which bears a registered identification number... It shall be unlawful for a person to own a dog or cat three months of age or older which is kept in the county and does no...
Pet Store Rules
Louisville Metro bans retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats outright, while still allowing shelters and rescues to showcase adoptable animals in-store.
Louisville Bans Retail Dog and Cat Sales
Heavy RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.141
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for a retail pet store, as defined in this section, to sell or offer for sale a dog or cat. (B) It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale any dog or cat at or on any street, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, recreation area, outdoor market, booth, flea markets, roadside stand, temporary site or parking l...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming businesses are a permitted use in Louisville Metro's commercial zoning districts only if the operation runs inside a soundproofed building, boards no animals, and keeps no runs or pens outside.
Louisville Pet Groomers Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Land Development Code, Ch. 2 Part 4, § 2.4.3(A) (C-1 Commercial District, Permitted Uses)
Pet grooming, obedience training and related pet activities, provided the operation is conducted within a soundproofed building, no animals are boarded, and there are no runs or pens outside of the building
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Louisville Metro allows veterinary hospitals as a permitted use in C-1 Commercial zones, but only inside a soundproofed building with no boarding and no outdoor pens or runs.
Louisville Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Land Development Code, Ch. 2 Part 4, § 2.4.3(A) (C-1 Commercial District, Permitted Uses)
Veterinary hospital, provided the operation is conducted within a sound-proofed building, no animals are boarded, and there are no runs or pens outside of the building
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Louisville Metro bans keeping wild or exotic animals, but authorized wildlife rehabilitators holding a state-issued permit are exempt from the ban.
Louisville Wild Animal Rehabilitator Exemption
Significant RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 91.008(A)(3)
The keeping or holding of wild animals that are inherently dangerous wildlife, exotic wildlife, endangered species... is prohibited... This section shall not apply to the following: ... (3) Authorized wildlife rehabilitators with any required state-issued permit...