Animal Ordinances in Pocatello, ID (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Pocatello, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Pocatello, keeping chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigeons or other "small livestock" requires a special permit from the Animal Services Director under City Code, not just a zoning check. The permit demands 75 percent neighbor consent, an inspected holding structure, and at least a 30-foot setback from any neighboring residence.
Backyard Chickens and Small Livestock Permits
Significant RestrictionsPocatello City Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.04.200
LIVESTOCK, SMALL: ... Including, but not limited to, rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigeons, pheasants, peacocks, or other rare birds, or any other type of fowl or poultry. ... Persons wishing to keep small livestock as defined in this chapter, other than dogs, cats, shall apply in writing to the animal services director for a special permit. ... ... 6. Neighboring Property: No person shall maintain...
Dog Leash Laws
City Code Section 6.04.040(A) makes it unlawful in the City of Pocatello to let a dog run at large on streets, public ways, or property without the owner's consent. A dog must be under restraint: either on a leash no longer than 10 feet with sufficient tensile strength, or secured in a vehicle so its claws and teeth cannot extend outside it.
Pocatello Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.040(A)
A. Dog At Large Prohibited: It is unlawful for any owner/custodian to fail to keep any dog under restraint or to permit such animal to be at large upon the streets and public ways of the City or on public or private property without the consent of the owner of the property unless the dog is under the control of a person holding a leash no longer than ten feet (10'), securely attached to the ani...
Breed Restrictions
Pocatello does not ban or single out any dog breed by name. City Code Section 6.04.050 declares an animal dangerous based on what it does, unprovoked attacks, injuries, or fighting or attack training, not what breed it is, and any animal meeting that conduct standard is subject to citywide restraint, registration and impoundment rules regardless of breed.
Pocatello Dangerous Animal Rules (No Breed Ban)
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.050(A), (B)
A. Dangerous Conduct By Animal Prohibited: The owner or custodian of any animal which commits any of the acts defined in this chapter as "dangerous" may be cited for a misdemeanor and the Animal Services Department may seize and impound the animal until the matter has been adjudicated. ... ... B. Prohibited Animals: No person may own or harbor or have custodial care of any of the following type...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Pocatello, it is unlawful to intentionally feed or attract wild or habituated wildlife such as deer, geese or foxes by putting out food, garbage or other attractants. Animal Control officers and Pocatello police can cite violators, and Municipal Code section 6.04.260 sets a flat $100 infraction fine for anyone caught baiting wildlife into a yard.
Feeding Wildlife Ban in the City of Pocatello
Heavy RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.260
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly feed or attract wildlife (wild or habituated) except those birds and squirrels as allowed in section 6.04.260.C. by placing, depositing, distributing, storing, or scattering food, edible material, garbage, or other attractant, with the intent to lure, attract, entice, or feed wildlife. ... ... D. Enforcement: A City of Pocatello Animal...
Pet Limits
In the City of Pocatello, a household may keep up to two dogs or five cats without any special permit. Adding a third dog or a sixth cat triggers a multiple animal housing license from the Animal Services Department, which requires 75 percent neighbor consent and a 30-foot setback for any outdoor dog run.
Multiple Animal Housing Limits in Pocatello
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.170
Any person desiring to have three (3) or more dogs or more than five (5) cats on his or her premises at any given time for purposes not covered by commercial animal establishment licensing must apply for a multiple animal housing license, in addition to obtaining individual dog licenses, on forms provided by the animal services department, providing names of occupants of the premises, address, ...
Cat Rules
In the City of Pocatello, City Code Section 6.04.155 requires any cat three months or older to be licensed annually with the Animal Services Department, with a registered microchip serving as proof for the city tag. Section 6.04.040(C) separately bars letting any cat or other non-dog animal run at large without leash control.
Pocatello Cat Licensing and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.155(A), (B); § 6.04.040(C)
A. The owner or custodian of any cat which has reached the age of three (3) months must buy a cat license and renew it annually from the animal services department or other duly authorized entity, provided, however, that the owner or manager of any commercial kennel or pet shop offering cats for sale may so buy and renew a "commercial animal establishment license" which shall cover all the cats...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Pocatello does not require spaying or neutering pets citywide, but City Code Section 6.04.030(E) forces the issue once an owner is convicted of letting their animal become a public nuisance through more than two running-at-large violations: the animal must be spayed or neutered within 30 days of sentencing, with proof filed with Animal Services.
Pocatello Mandatory Spay/Neuter After Nuisance
Significant RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.030(E), (F)
E. After the conviction of an owner or custodian for allowing his animal to become a nuisance for more than two (2) running at large violations, the owner or custodian shall have the animal neutered or spayed by a licensed veterinarian and provide proof to the Animal Services Department of such alteration within thirty (30) days of sentencing. F. After the conviction of an owner or custodian fo...
Microchipping
Pocatello does not require every pet to be microchipped, but City Code Section 6.04.060(D) forces it after a dangerous-animal conviction: within five days, the owner must have a microchip implanted by a licensed veterinarian or Animal Services, pay all costs, and, for vet-performed work, prove implantation to the Animal Services Department.
Pocatello Dangerous Animal Microchip Requirement
Significant RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.060(D)
D. Microchip Implantation And Alteration Required: Any person who has been found guilty of or pled guilty to a violation of the dangerous conduct prohibitions set out above shall, within five (5) days of conviction, have a microchip implanted in the animal by a licensed veterinarian or the animal services department, pay all associated costs, and, for work performed by a veterinarian, provide p...
Pet Store Rules
Pocatello does not ban retail sale of dogs and cats. City Code Section 6.04.150(A) and Section 6.04.155(A) let a commercial kennel or pet shop buy a single commercial animal establishment license covering all dogs or cats it offers for sale, and Section 6.04.160(A) requires that establishment license from the Animal Services Department before operating.
Pocatello Pet Shop and Kennel Licensing Rules
Light RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.150(A); § 6.04.160(A)
A. The owner or custodian of any dog which has reached the age of three (3) months must buy a dog license and renew it annually from the animal services center or other duly authorized entity, provided, however, that the owner or manager of any commercial kennel or pet shop offering dogs for sale may so buy and renew a "commercial animal establishment license" which shall cover all the dogs und...
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Pocatello, any pet groomer runs a "commercial animal establishment" under City Code and must hold an annual license from the Animal Services Department before taking a single client. The director can deny or revoke the license for neglect, abuse or code violations, and the Pocatello City Council hears written appeals of that decision.
Pet Groomer Licensing in the City of Pocatello
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.160
No person may operate, or allow to be operated, any commercial animal establishment without having obtained an annual license from the animal services department. A commercial animal establishment license may be granted by the director of the animal services department upon application and payment of the appropriate fee by the owner, provided the establishment meets all regulations, including z...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Pocatello's zoning code does not treat veterinary clinics as a standalone use; City Code section 17.01.160.B.3.g folds them into the Office use classification alongside medical and dental offices. Office is permitted outright in the CG, CC, OP zones and conditional in RMH/RH, with a 30 percent accessory-use cap in the LI and I industrial zones.
Pocatello Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPocatello City Code §§ 17.01.160, 17.03.500
Office: Government, business, and professional offices. Examples include, but are not limited to, local, regional, state, and federal offices and agencies; medical, dental and veterinary clinics, offices, and laboratories; ... Use Category RE RL RMS RMM RH RCP CG CC OP LI I ... Office N N N C C P P P P R27 R27 ... ...
Bird Protection
City Code section 12.36.100(C) bars anyone in a Pocatello municipal park from hunting, molesting, harming, trapping, or shooting missiles at any animal, bird, or zoo-maintained wildlife, and from taking the eggs, nest, or young of any wild bird or animal. It also bans feeding tobacco, alcohol, or other noxious substances to park animals, birds, or zoo wildlife.
Pocatello Park Bird And Wildlife Protection
Heavy RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 12.36.100(C)
C. Wild Animals, Birds And Zoo Life: 1. Molesting: Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, bird or zoo maintained wildlife; nor shall any person remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any bird nor the young of any wildlife maintained in the public zoo; 2. Feeding: Give or offer,...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
In the City of Pocatello, the citywide ban on feeding or attracting wildlife does not apply to zoos, rehab facilities or authorized and licensed wildlife rehabilitators, but only while they act under valid State of Idaho and City of Pocatello permits or licenses. Pocatello does not run its own separate wildlife-rescue permit program; the city exemption relies on the state license.
Wildlife Rehabilitator Exemption in Pocatello
Light RestrictionsPocatello City Code § 6.04.260(C)(2)
2. Any authorized facilities/individuals acting pursuant to State of Idaho and City of Pocatello permits and licenses responsible or charged with the care of wildlife (i.e. zoos, rehab facilities, or authorized and licensed wildlife rehabilitators).
Looking for Bannock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pocatello city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Bannock County →