Animal Ordinances in Provo, UT (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Provo, Utah, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Provo City Code 8.02.190 lets residents in residential zones keep hen chickens (no roosters) for egg production, with the number tied to lot size from two hens at 6,000 sq ft up to six hens at 10,000 sq ft, and requires annual registration with the City plus a secure rear-yard coop.
Hens by lot size (2-6, no roosters); annual city permit
Some RestrictionsProvo, UT - Animal License (official City of Provo page summarizing Provo City Code 8.02.190)
Provo City Code 8.02.19 permits residents in residential zones to keep a limited number of hen chickens (no roosters) for egg production, based on lot size. Residents must register annually with the city and ensure chickens are confined in a secure, clean, and predator-resistant coop located in the rear yard.
Dog Leash Laws
Provo bans any animal from running at large citywide and holds the owner strictly liable, even if the escape was accidental, with an animal defined as 'under restraint' only when on a leash, confined in a vehicle, or on the owner's property.
Provo Leash Law: No Animals at Large
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.110 (Animals Running at Large)
It shall be unlawful for any animal to be at large at any time within the corporate limits of the City. The owner or custodian of any animal which is at large shall be strictly liable for a violation of this Section, regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the animal and regardless of lack of knowledge of the offense at the time it occurs.
Breed Restrictions
Provo cannot ban or restrict any dog by breed. Utah Code 18-2-101 prohibits a municipality from adopting or enforcing any breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs and voids any such measure, so no breed restrictions apply in Provo.
No breed-specific dog rules allowed; Utah state law preempts
Few RestrictionsUtah Code 18-2-101 (Regulation of dogs by a municipality), enacted by H.B. 97 (2014), effective Jan. 1, 2015
(1) A municipality may not adopt or enforce a breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs. (2) Any breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs is void.
Beekeeping
Provo allows backyard beekeeping under City Code Chapter 8.03, but caps hive counts by lot size, bans hives that threaten health or safety, and requires state registration. Up to five hives fit on a lot over 5,000 square feet; up to ten on a half-acre or larger.
Provo Beekeeping and Apiary Rules
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.03.030 (Hives on Residential Lots)
As provided in this chapter, an apiary, consisting of not more than five (5) hives or an equivalent capacity, may be maintained in a side yard or the rear yard of any residential lot that is larger than five thousand (5,000) square feet. On a residential lot which is larger then one-half (0.5) acre, the number of hives located on the lot may be increased to ten (10) hives. A person shall not lo...
Exotic Pets
Provo City Code 8.02.080 makes it unlawful to possess, sell, barter, or keep any wild animal within city limits. Only zoos, shelters, vet hospitals, labs, and circuses may hold one, and only with escape-proof enclosures.
Provo Bans Keeping Wild Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.080(1) (Possession of Wild Animals) (Rep&ReEn 1987-44, Am 2010-12)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, barter, give away, harbor, rent, or purchase any wild animal, except that an animal shelter, a zoological park, veterinary hospital, humane society shelter, public laboratory, circus, or facility for education or scientific purposes may keep such an animal if protective devices adequate to prevent it from escaping or inju...
Wildlife Feeding
Provo City Code 8.02.200 makes it unlawful to place food, grain, or minerals anywhere in the city that draws wild deer, elk, moose, or turkey in numbers or circumstances that damage property, endanger people, or create health concerns. Songbird feeding is exempt unless the city has already warned the feeder.
Provo Ban on Feeding Wild Deer and Turkey
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.200(1) (Feeding Wild Deer, Elk, Moose, or Turkey Prohibited)
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, grain, minerals, or similar substances within Provo City municipal limits when it attracts wild deer, elk, moose, or turkey in such numbers or circumstances to cause property damage, endanger any person, or create public health concerns.
Pet Limits
Provo City Code 8.06.070 limits each residence or commercial establishment to no more than two dogs and no more than two cats six months of age or older, with licensed kennels, catteries, grooming parlors, and pet shops exempt.
Max 2 dogs and 2 cats (6 months or older) per residence
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.06.070 (Allowable Number of Dogs or Cats)
Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Provo City Code, no more than two (2) dogs and no more than two (2) cats six (6) months of age or older shall be kept at any residence or commercial establishment at any time.
Cat Rules
Provo lets owners license cats the same way as dogs under Section 8.06.020, and an unlicensed cat is presumed unowned. A female cat in season must be confined to prevent contact with other animals.
Provo Cat Licensing and Season Confinement Rules
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.06.020 (Cat Licensing) (Enacted 1987-44, Rep&ReEn 2005-56)
8.06.020 Cat Licensing. (1) A cat may be licensed by submitting an application and paying the applicable fee and receiving a license tag as provided in this Chapter for dogs. (2) A licensed cat which is impounded shall be held, sold or destroyed as provided in Subsection 8.10.030(1), Provo City Code. (3) An unlicensed cat shall be presumed to be not owned by any person, unless, as reasonably de...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Provo has no citywide mandatory spay/neuter law for pet dogs and cats. The only mandatory spay/neuter rule in the code applies narrowly to feral cats a university uses for research before their release.
Provo Spay/Neuter Rule Limited to Research Cats
Light RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.080(2) (Possession of Wild Animals) (Rep&ReEn 1987-44, Am 2010-12)
(2) This Section shall not prevent the possession or use of feral cats by a university for a bonafide educational or scientific research project. Before their release, all feral cats so used shall be spayed or neutered at the expense of the university.
Coyote Management
Provo City Code 8.02.200 makes it unlawful to place food or minerals that attract wild deer, elk, moose, or turkey in numbers that cause property damage, endanger anyone, or create health concerns.
Provo Bans Feeding That Draws Big Game Into Town
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.200(1) (Feeding Wild Deer, Elk, Moose, or Turkey Prohibited) (Enacted 2015-23)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, grain, minerals, or similar substances within Provo City municipal limits when it attracts wild deer, elk, moose, or turkey in such numbers or circumstances to cause property damage, endanger any person, or create public health concerns.
Pet Groomer Rules
Provo City Code 8.02.130 makes it unlawful to keep an animal overnight at a grooming parlor unless the animal belongs to the parlor's own operator. Groomers can bathe and clip during the day, not board.
Provo Bars Overnight Boarding at Grooming Parlors
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 8.02.130 (Grooming Parlors) (Enacted 1987-44)
8.02.130 Grooming Parlors. It shall be unlawful to keep an animal overnight at a grooming parlor. This Section shall not apply to an animal owned by the operator of the grooming parlor. (Enacted 1987-44)
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Provo allows veterinary hospitals, animal kennels, boarding, breeding, training, and grooming (excluding large animals) as a conditional use, but only inside a fully enclosed, air-conditioned, soundproofed building, with animal noise banned at the property line.
Provo Veterinary Clinic Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsProvo City Code 14.34.250(9) (Standards for Conditional Uses - Veterinarian Services)
Each facility shall be located completely within an air-conditioned and soundproofed building; except for outdoor, on-leash (accompanied by an attendant) walking areas for not more than two (2) animals at a time; Animal noise shall not be audible at the nearest property line; Overnight boarding shall be limited to animals receiving treatment on the premises; Services shall be limited to small a...
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