Animal Ordinances in Nicholasville, KY (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Nicholasville, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Nicholasville bars any yard or pen for livestock, chickens and other fowl kept in a way that becomes offensive to a neighbor or annoying to the public, and declares it a nuisance. Swine are banned except miniature pot bellied pigs kept as pets, and all poultry must be enclosed so they do not trespass.
Nicholasville Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsNicholasville Code of Ordinances §§ 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-29
As used in this chapter, the word "livestock" shall include, without limitation, any horses, cattle, oxen, mules, asses, goats, swine and sheep. ... The keeping of any yard or pen for livestock, chickens and other fowl, in the city in such manner as to become offensive to any person residing in the vicinity, or annoying to the public, shall constitute a nuisance and is hereby prohibited. ... It...
Dog Leash Laws
In Nicholasville, a dog kept in the city must stay within the confines of its owner's residence property unless the owner controls it with a leash or other similar device at all times while it is off that property. A designated municipal park used exclusively for dogs is excluded. Section 5-27 sets the rule, and Nicholasville police officers enforce it by confining violating animals in the pound.
Nicholasville Dog Leash and Restraint Rule (Sec. 5-27)
Some RestrictionsNicholasville Code of Ordinances § 5-27
Dogs which are kept in the city shall be kept within the confines of their residence property unless the owners control the animals with a leash or other similar device at all times when the animals are permitted to leave the residence property by the owners. There is excluded from this restraint of dogs any designated municipal park to be used exclusively for dogs.
Breed Restrictions
Nicholasville regulates dogs by conduct and court finding, not by breed. Section 5-30 defines a dangerous dog as one declared vicious by a court, one that attacks a person without provocation, one certified by a veterinarian as a danger, or one trained as an attack or guard dog. Owners face locked-pen confinement, $50,000 in liability insurance and fines of $200 to $500.
Nicholasville Dangerous Dog Rules (Secs. 5-30 to 5-36)
Significant RestrictionsNicholasville Code of Ordinances § 5-30
Dangerous dog. Includes any individual dog declared by a court to be a vicious dog; or (1) Any dog which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being without provocation on public or private property. (2) Any dog which has previously attacked or bitten a human being other than under circumstances deemed justifiable under subsection (5) definition. (3) Any dog certified by...
Beekeeping
Nicholasville allows beekeeping only on single-family lots and Jessamine County Schools and city owned properties. Hives must sit at least 20 feet from every property line, water must be within 10 feet of each colony, and every honey bee colony must be registered each year with the city clerk at no fee.
Nicholasville Beekeeping Rules: Setbacks and Registration
Significant RestrictionsNicholasville Code of Ordinances § 5-4
(a) The keeping of bees is permitted on single-family lots and Jessamine County Schools and city owned properties, and is prohibited at all other locations. (b) Each beekeeper shall ensure that a convenient source of water is available within ten (10) feet of each colony at all times that the colonies remain active outside the hive. (c) Bee hives shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet ...
Cat Rules
Nicholasville regulates cats through Sec. 5-6, which makes it unlawful to house and keep under control any dog or cat that causes a general inconvenience and annoyance to persons in the immediate neighborhood. The section's examples are loud and continual barking, whining and continuous noises that surrounding neighbors can hear.
Nicholasville Cat Rules: Annoyance Standard and Waste Duty
Light RestrictionsNicholasville Code of Ordinances § 5-6
It shall be unlawful for any person to house and to keep under his control any dog or cat as a pet or for any other purpose which causes a general inconvenience and annoyance to persons in his immediate neighborhood. Acts of such general annoyance shall consist of loud and continual barking, whining and the general emission of continuous noises that may be heard by the surrounding neighbors.
Looking for Jessamine County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Nicholasville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Jessamine County →