Animal Ordinances in Muncie, IN (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Muncie, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
City Code § 90.19 bars anyone on property zoned R-1 through R-6 under the city's zoning code from keeping or harboring any livestock or poultry, defined to include cattle, horses, mules, swine, goats and all poultry. Section 90.21 separately bans letting chickens or other fowl run at large anywhere in the city.
Muncie Bans Livestock in Residential Zones
Heavy RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.19
No person occupying property within the city of Muncie, which is zoned under Title XV, section 150, of the zoning code, as R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, or R-6 residence zones shall keep or harbor any livestock or poultry on such property. ... (A)For the purposes of this section 90.19 livestock shall mean:(1)All cattle, or animals of the bovine species;(2)All horses, mules, burros, and asses or anim...
Dog Leash Laws
Muncie requires every dog and cat, except sterilized and identified cats, to be kept under restraint at all times under City Code § 90.08(A). An animal caught running at large under § 90.06 is impounded by the animal care and services department and held at least five working days before adoption, sale or humane disposal.
Muncie Dogs and Cats Must Be Restrained
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code §§ 90.06, 90.08(A)
No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog or cat shall cause, at large and not under restraint, as provided herein, shall be taken by an agent of the animal care and services department, impounded at the animal care and services department, and confined there in a humane manner for a period of not less than five working days, unless sooner claimed by the owner, and ...
Breed Restrictions
Muncie has no breed-specific ban; instead City Code § 90.08(C) lets the board of animal care and services declare any individual animal "potentially dangerous or vicious" after a hearing, based on its behavior such as an unprovoked attack. A declared animal must be confined, muzzled off-property, and altered within 30 days, or it may be euthanized.
Muncie Dangerous and Vicious Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.08(C)
Vicious animals. If an animal control officer or a law enforcement officer has investigated and determined that there exists probable cause to believe that an animal is potentially dangerous or vicious, the animal control officer shall request a hearing by the board of animal care and services for the purpose of determining whether or not the animal in question should be declared potentially da...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Muncie, anyone occupying property zoned R-1 through R-6 under the Title XV zoning code may not keep or harbor undomesticated animals on that property. The Common Council enacted the ban as part of Chapter 90 in 2003, and it applies wherever that residential zoning is in effect, not just to specific species named elsewhere in the animal code.
Muncie Bans Undomesticated Animals in Residential Zones
Heavy RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.20
No person occupying property within the city of Muncie, which is zoned under title XV, Section 150, of the zoning code, as R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 or R-6 residence zones shall keep or harbor undomesticated animals on such property.
Pet Limits
In the City of Muncie, keeping four or more dogs over six months old, six or more cats over four months old, or more than eight dogs and cats combined classifies a property as a "kennel" under City Code § 90.01(I). Crossing that line triggers Sec. 90.23's annual $50.00 kennel license from the animal care and services department.
Muncie Kennel License Above Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code §§ 90.01(I), 90.23
(I)Kennel. The use of land or buildings for the purpose of selling, breeding, boarding or training animals other than farm animals; or the keeping of four or more dogs over six months or the keeping of six or more cats over four months old, or the keeping of more than eight dogs or cats. ... But the owner of a kennel is required to obtain an annual kennel license for a fee of $50.00 per year wh...
Cat Rules
Muncie folds cats into its general animal rules under City Code § 90.16(A) but adds a trap-neuter-return scheme for feral colonies. Section 90.16(B) requires anyone feeding, watering or sheltering a feral cat colony to register it with the animal care and services department or its designee, on penalty of a $25.00 fine.
Muncie Feral Cat Colony Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.16
(A)Cats shall be subject to all of the remaining sections of this chapter, including impounding and humane euthanasia provisions.(B)Feral cats.(1)General requirements.(a)All feral cat colonies shall:1.Operate in such a manner as to not constitute a public nuisance; and2.Comply with all of the provisions of section 90.30, animal care, of this title, which provides standards for the general care ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Muncie does not require existing pet owners citywide to spay or neuter their animals, but City Code § 90.09 makes it mandatory for every dog and cat leaving the animal care and services department: "All animals must be spayed/neutered prior to adoption." The department subsidizes early-age surgery for puppies and kittens through participating veterinarians.
Muncie Spay/Neuter Required Before Adoption
Light RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.09
It is the announced policy of the common council to encourage the adoption of dogs and cats and in conjunction therewith spaying or neutering these animals. ... All animals must be spayed/neutered prior to adoption.
Microchipping
In the City of Muncie, any dog adopted through animal care and services must receive a microchip implant as a condition of adoption, and any dog impounded by the department must be chipped before release. Removing an implanted microchip is a separate misdemeanor offense under the same section.
Muncie Requires Microchips for Adopted, Impounded Dogs
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.29
(A)Microchip implant of adopted dogs. Any dog adopted through the animal care and services department shall be implanted with a microchip implant as a condition of adoption.(B)Microchip implant of impounded dogs. Any dog impounded by the animal care and services department shall be implanted with a microchip implant as a condition of release.(C)Penalty. It shall be a violation of this code sect...
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Muncie, no pet shop or animal rescue facility may operate without an annual permit from the animal care and services department. Applicants must disclose any cruelty-to-animals conviction, submit to unlimited inspections of animals and premises, and meet care standards before the city issues or renews the permit.
Muncie Requires Annual Permits for Pet Shops
Significant RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.28(A), (F)
(A)Permits—General. No person or organization shall operate a pet shop or rescue facility (collectively referred herein as "animal establishments") except for the animal care and services department without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter. Every animal establishment regulated by this chapter shall be considered a separate enterprise and shall require an individual permi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Muncie, kennels and veterinary hospitals or clinics are a permitted use only in the Farming (F) Zone under City Code § 150.45(J). Fully enclosed operations follow the zone's standard setbacks, but any outdoor runs, pens or kennel yards must sit at least 200 feet from side and rear property lines, with parking and signage separately regulated.
Veterinary Clinics and Kennels in Muncie Farming Zone
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 150.45(J)
Kennels and veterinary hospitals/clinics. Where all uses are completely enclosed within a building, all uses and buildings or structures placed thereon shall meet the provisions of §§ 150.47 through 150.53. Where there are open runways, pens, or similar open uses, all uses and buildings or structures placed thereon shall be at least 200 feet from any side and rear property line and shall meet t...
Bird Protection
Muncie bans selling or giving away baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl under three weeks old, or rabbits under two months old, as pets or novelties, and bans dyeing their natural color, under City Code § 90.17(A). Violators face a $100.00 fine per offense.
Muncie Baby Chick and Fowl Sale Limits
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.17
No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away baby chickens, ducklings, or other fowl under three weeks of age, or rabbits under two months of age, as pets, toys, premiums, or novelties. ... Nor shall any person color, dye, stain, or otherwise change the natural color of any chickens, ducklings, other fowl, or rabbits, or bring or transport the same into the city.
Wildlife Rescue Permits
In the City of Muncie, anyone operating a rescue facility, defined in City Code § 90.01(Q) as an organization that harbors or re-homes animals, must obtain an annual permit under § 90.28 from the animal care and services department. Non-profit rescue facilities pay a $100.00 annual fee and face unannounced inspections.
Muncie Animal Rescue Facility Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMuncie City Code § 90.28
No person or organization shall operate a pet shop or rescue facility (collectively referred herein as "animal establishments") except for the animal care and services department without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter. ... Non- profit animal rescue facilities shall pay an annual fee of $100.00.