Animal Ordinances in Plymouth, MN (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Plymouth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Plymouth, keeping chickens requires a Chicken License from the City, and it is only issued for the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoning districts. Most licensed properties can keep up to six hens with no roosters, the coop and run must sit in the rear yard at least 20 feet from any property line, and it caps out at 120 square feet under City Code Section 21170.02.
Plymouth Chicken License: 6 Hens, No Roosters
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21170.02
Subd. 1.License Required. ... No person shall have chickens within the City of Plymouth without first obtaining a Chicken License. The procedures and fees for such license shall be as set forth in Chapter X, entitled "Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees" of the City Code. The licensing process shall be as follows:(a)A chicken license shall only be granted for use in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Plymouth, no owner may let a dog run At Large, and every dog or cat must be kept Under Restraint at all times under City Code Section 915.17. The only exceptions cover dogs swimming or training in open water at least 300 feet from a public swimming area and dogs inside the City's off-leash dog park.
Plymouth, MN Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.17, Subd. 1
No owner of a dog shall permit it to be At Large within the City. Every Owner of a dog or cat shall keep it Under Restraint at all times. Exceptions to this requirement are dogs are allowed within an open body of water, not ice, for training or exercise purposes as long as they are not within 300 feet of any public swimming area and are not found to be creating a nuisance as defined in this ord...
Breed Restrictions
Plymouth does not restrict dogs by breed. Instead, City Code Section 915.25 lets the City's Designated Hearing Officer declare an individual dog Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous based on documented unprovoked bites, chases, or attacks, and dogs declared Dangerous must be registered, insured, and kept muzzled or in a secure enclosure.
Plymouth, MN Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.25, Subd. 1, Subd. 7
After review of cases involving bites or other behaviors, the officer shall determine that a dog is Potentially Dangerous, if the officer believes, based upon the officer's professional judgment that a dog has:A.When unprovoked, inflicted bites on a human being or domestic animal on public or private property; or ... C.A known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing i...
Beekeeping
In the City of Plymouth, keeping bees requires a Beekeeping License, available only for RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD residential lots, the I-1 through I-3 industrial districts, P-I property, and city-owned land regardless of zoning. On a residential lot, hives must sit on the ground in the side or rear yard, set back at least 20 feet from side and rear lines, and an initial permit allows up to two hives under City Code Section 21170.04.
Plymouth Beekeeping License and Hive Setbacks
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21170.04
Subd. 1.License Required. ... No person shall have bees within the City of Plymouth without first obtaining a Beekeeping License. ... Subd. ... 2.Licensing Process. (a)A Beekeeping License shall only be granted for use in RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, single-family detached PUD, I-1, I-2, 1-3, and P-I zoning districts, and on city-owned properties regardless of zoning designation. ... (2)For properties ...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.29 bans keeping any Wild Animal anywhere in the City unless the keeper holds an administrative permit for a bona fide institutional program under the City's zoning ordinance, and it also bars keeping exotic or non-indigenous animals that create a nuisance or are allowed to run at large.
Plymouth, MN Wild and Exotic Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.29, Subd. 1
No person shall keep or allow to be kept anyplace in the City a Wild Animal, unless with an administrative permit as part of a bona fide institutional program as allowed in Section 21170.01, Subd. 5 of the City's zoning ordinance. Any Animal Control officer or licensed peace officer shall be empowered to immediately impound any Wild Animal found within the City, and to seek whatever legal proce...
Pet Limits
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.21 caps household pets at four dogs and cats combined in residential and single-family PUD zoning districts, with no more than two of those animals allowed to be dogs over six months old, unless the owner first obtains a Multiple Animal License.
Plymouth, MN Household Pet Limit Rule
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code §§ 915.21, 1010.01
In residential and single-family PUD (planned unit development) zoning districts, no person shall own, harbor, keep or have custody of more than four dogs and cats in combination, no more than two of which may be dogs over six months old on their property without having first secured a Multiple Animal License as required herein. In other zoning districts where allowed, individuals involved in t...
Cat Rules
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.17 keeps cats Under Restraint just like dogs, but Subdivision 2 lets outdoor cats already living outside when the 1998 ordinance took effect stay outdoors for life if the owner registered the cat by December 31, 1998, had it spayed or neutered, and accepted liability for any property damage it causes.
Plymouth, MN Cat At-Large Exemption Rules
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.17, Subd. 2
Cats who are outdoor cats within the City at the time of adoption of this ordinance may be exempt from this Section of the ordinance for the lifetime of the animal by meeting the following requirements. The owner must register the cat by December 31, 1998, the cat is required to be spayed/neutered, and the owners must agree to be responsible for any damage to property done by the cat and work w...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Plymouth does not require spaying or neutering pets generally, but City Code Section 915.17, Subdivision 3 makes it mandatory for any cat kept outdoors under the ordinance's veterinarian-documented exemption: an owner whose cat cannot be trained to live indoors, facing euthanasia as the only alternative, must have the cat spayed or neutered to keep it outside legally.
Plymouth, MN Spay/Neuter Rule for Outdoor Cats
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.17, Subd. 3
If a cat is unable to be trained to be indoors and the only other option for the cat is euthanasia and the owner produces documentation from a certified veterinarian proving such, the cat may be allowed outdoors. In this circumstance the cat is required to be spayed/neutered, and the owners must agree to be responsible for any damage done to property by the cat and work with the victim and poli...
Microchipping
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.11 requires every dog and cat to carry some form of identification that lets animal control officers reach the owner. A microchip is one of three accepted methods, along with a veterinarian-issued rabies certificate or a tag or collar bearing the owner's name and phone number. No single method is mandatory.
Plymouth, MN Pet ID and Microchip Rules
Light RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 915.11
All dogs and cats are required to have some identification on them that would assist animal control in contacting the owner. Identification allowed under this subdivision include microchips, veterinarian issued rabies certificates, or any tags or collars with contact information and phone number(s) inscribed on it.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Plymouth, a veterinary clinic is a permitted use by right in the O Office District, so it needs only a building permit and site plan review rather than a conditional use permit. City Code Section 21450.03 lists the use alongside medical, dental and chiropractic offices, and specifically allows an attached indoor kennel.
Plymouth Zoning: Veterinary Clinics in Office District
Few RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21450.03
The purpose of the Office District (O) is to provide an area for commercial offices and uses that are compatible with commercial offices. A full range of public services and facilities shall be available in O areas. ... The following are permitted uses in the O District: Subd. ... 22.Veterinary clinics and related indoor kennel.
Bird Protection
In the City of Plymouth, Minnesota, City Code Section 805.09, Subds. 11-12 make it unlawful for anyone but a City-authorized person to disturb or destroy a bird or animal nest in a City park, to shoot at or throw objects at any bird or animal there, or to set a trap, snare or net to catch one.
Plymouth Bans Harming Park Wildlife
Heavy RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 805.09, Subds. 11-12
Subd. 11.Hunting. Only City authorized persons shall disturb, injure or destroy any bird or animal nest within the limits of any park, nor shall any person aim or discharge any air gun, sling shot, arrow or other weapon, or throw any stone or other projectile, at any bird or animal within any park, nor in any manner capture, kill or harm in any way any bird or animal therein. ... Subd. 12.Trapp...
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