Animal Ordinances in Rapid City, SD (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Rapid City, South Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Rapid City Municipal Code Section 6.08.021 lets a single-family lot in six residential zoning districts keep up to 6 hens, plus 6 brooding chicks under 12 weeks for replacement, but bans roosters entirely. Section 6.08.030 separately bans horses, cattle, swine, sheep and goats from running at large anywhere in the city.
Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules in Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 6.08.021
Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section, hens may be kept on any parcel or lot which is used and occupied as a single-family dwelling, as defined by § 17.04.225 of this Code, in the following zoning districts defined in Title 17 of this Code: Low Density Residential 1 (LDR-1), Low Density Residential 2 (LDR-2), Medium Density Residential District (MDR), High Density Residential (H...
Dog Leash Laws
Rapid City Municipal Code § 6.12.030 bars any dog or cat from running at large and requires the owner to keep the animal under restraint at all times. Restraint is defined citywide in § 6.04.010 to mean a leash held by a capable handler, secure enclosure in a vehicle or on the owner's own property, or verbal control in a designated off-leash park area.
Rapid City Dog At-Large Restraint Rule
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.12.030
C. AT LARGE. Any animal that is off the property of its owner and not under restraint of a competent person. ... HH. ... UNDER RESTRAINT. When an animal is: 1. Secured by a leash that is held by a person physically capable of restraining the animal; ... ... 3. Securely enclosed within a vehicle; 4. Securely enclosed within the real property limits of the owner’s premises; ... No person may allo...
Breed Restrictions
Rapid City has no breed ban; § 6.08.100 judges dogs and other animals by documented behavior, not breed, through a formal dangerous or potentially dangerous designation process. A potentially dangerous animal must be leashed on no more than a 4-foot lead, muzzled outside its enclosure, sterilized, obedience-trained, and permitted for $100 a year, while an animal finally declared dangerous must be destroyed.
Rapid City Dangerous Dog Rules
Heavy RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.08.100
J. Keeping of potentially dangerous animals. No person may keep within the boundaries of the city any potentially dangerous animal, unless the following conditions are met: 1. Leash. No person having charge, custody, control or possession of a potentially dangerous animal shall allow the animal to exit its kennel, pen or other proper enclosure unless the animal is securely attached to a leash n...
Beekeeping
Rapid City allows hobby beekeeping under Chapter 6.20, but hives must sit at least 15 feet from any dwelling other than the beekeeper's own and stay out of zoning setbacks and drainage easements. A residential lot is capped at 4 colonies unless every hive sits 200 feet from all property lines, and a nuisance hive can be ordered relocated or destroyed within 30 days.
Rapid City Hobby Beekeeping Hive Location Rules
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.20.020, 6.20.040
A. Proximity to residences. No person shall establish or maintain any hive or keep any bees on the premises within 15 feet of any dwelling. This restriction does not apply to residences located on the same lot as the hive. ... ... A. It shall be unlawful to keep more than 4 colonies on any tract, lot, or parcel within the city. However, if the size of the lot on which the apiary is situated per...
Exotic Pets
Rapid City Municipal Code § 6.08.080 bars anyone from keeping a wild animal within city limits, and § 6.04.010(JJ) defines wild animal to sweep in venomous snakes, raccoons, foxes, bears, coyotes, big cats and more. The only lawful path is exhibition by a circus, zoo or educational institution under city-set conditions; private ownership of exotic or dangerous wildlife as a pet has no exception.
Rapid City Wild Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.08.080
JJ. WILD ANIMAL. Any animal(s) other than livestock, a domestic dog, or a domestic cat, which in a wild state is carnivorous or which because of its nature or physical makeup is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings, including, but not limited to a: 1. Feral cat; 2. Snake that is venomous or otherwise presents a risk of serious physical harm or death to human bein...
Wildlife Feeding
Rapid City bans feeding deer, coyotes, geese and other wild animals or waterfowl anywhere within city limits, on public or private land. City Code § 6.16.020 also outlaws leaving out garbage, pet food, birdseed or salt licks that attract wildlife. Backyard bird feeding stays legal under separate rules, and violations can run for weeks once cited.
Feeding Wild Animals Prohibited in Rapid City
Heavy RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 6.16.020
A. No person shall purposely or knowingly, with intent to provide such food, feed, bait, or in any manner provide access to food to any wild animal or waterfowl within the corporate limits of the City of Rapid City, on lands either publicly or privately owned. This section shall not apply to the feeding of farm animals lawfully kept within the city limits. B. No person shall purposely or knowin...
Cat Rules
Rapid City requires every cat, like every dog, to carry a current, individual license under Municipal Code § 6.12.010, tied to proof of rabies vaccination and a Common Council fee. A cat is exempt only if it has been owned less than 30 days or is younger than 6 months, and every license expires December 31 regardless of when it was issued.
Rapid City Cat Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 6.12.010
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the safety, health and general welfare, by requiring that all dogs and cats owned by residents of the city be inoculated against rabies and licensed to ensure ease of identification of any dog or cat in the event of loss, theft, impoundment or the biting of persons or other animals, and to recover the costs of administration of this title. A. It is u...
Microchipping
Rapid City does not require every pet to carry a microchip, but § 6.08.230(C) makes it mandatory for any dog or cat that is impounded and then returned to its owner: the city's Designated Animal Control Authority must implant a microchip before release, and the owner pays for the implant.
Rapid City Impound Microchipping Rule
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 6.08.230
B. If impoundment by the city’s Designated Animal Control Authority is allowed pursuant to any provision of this code, the owner of the animal is responsible for any fees associated with the impoundment of the animal including, but not limited to, microchipping, vaccination, care and treatment, boarding, licensing, and animal services. These fees may be set by the city’s Designated Animal Contr...
Coyote Management
Rapid City Municipal Code § 6.16.020 bars purposely feeding or baiting any wild animal, a term § 6.16.010 defines to include coyotes and deer, on any public or private land in the city. The city carves out only two exceptions: state Game, Fish and Parks wildlife management agents, and city agents running an approved community-based deer management plan under a special GF&P deer management permit.
Rapid City Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.16.010, 6.16.020
D. WILD ANIMAL. ... Shall include any animal, which is not normally domesticated in this state, including but not limited to coyotes, deer, turkeys, feral cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and waterfowl. ... ... A. No person shall purposely or knowingly, with intent to provide such food, feed, bait, or in any manner provide access to food to any wild animal or waterfowl within the corporate limits...
Pet Store Rules
Rapid City requires an annual license before anyone may operate a pet store, defined in Municipal Code § 6.08.010 as a retail facility selling animals and accessory products. Section 6.08.056 does not restrict where a store sources its dogs or cats; it conditions the license on a Common Council fee, a passing Animal Control Officer inspection, and confirmed zoning and animal-control compliance before the city's Designated Animal Control Authority will issue it.
Rapid City Pet Store Licensing
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 6.08.010, 6.08.056
PET STORE. ... A retail facility providing for the sale of animals and accessory products, but that does not provide overnight care of another’s animal in return for any compensation. ... It is unlawful for any person to operate a ... pet store as defined in this title without first obtaining a license for the pet store. ... Licenses will be issued by the city’s Designated Animal Control Author...
Pet Groomer Rules
Rapid City Municipal Code Section 6.08.054 requires anyone operating a pet grooming business to hold a license from the city's Designated Animal Control Authority. An Animal Control Officer must inspect the property and confirm compliance with zoning and animal control ordinances before the Authority will issue it, and the license runs one calendar year from January 1.
Pet Grooming Business License in Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 6.08.054
It is unlawful for any person to operate a pet grooming business as defined in this title without first obtaining a license for the pet grooming business. Only 1 license is required per 1 pet grooming business. To apply for a license, a person desiring to operate a pet grooming business shall pay an application fee. An application fee to apply to operate a pet grooming business shall be establi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Rapid City's Urban Commercial (UC) zoning district, a veterinary establishment is a conditional use, not a use allowed by right. Rapid City Municipal Code section 17.66.070(U) requires the Planning Commission to approve it through the citywide conditional use permit process in section 17.54.030, and imposes one hard operating rule: every animal must be kept inside a soundproof, air-conditioned building.
Rapid City Veterinary Zoning Rule
Significant RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 17.66.070(U)
Supplemental regulations are established to address the unique characteristics of certain land uses. The standards and conditions listed for uses in this chapter are applicable to uses as specified by Table 17.66.020 in § 17.66.020. All conditional uses shall comply with the regulations in § 17.54.030. ... ... U. Veterinary establishments. Uses of this nature are subject to the following for co...
Bird Protection
Rapid City bans harming bird nests or shooting at, throwing objects at, or injuring any bird, wild creature, or other animal anywhere in a city park or on public property. The Parks and Recreation Director can authorize an exception, and lawful fishing under state law is not affected.
Bird nest and wildlife protection in Rapid City parks
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 12.24.110.E
E. Animal protection. No person shall harm any bird nest within the limits of any park or public property, nor aim or discharge any airgun, slingshot, or other weapon, or throw any stones or other projectiles at, nor injure or attempt to injure any bird, wild creature, or other animal within any park or public property, except as authorized by the Director. This section does not prohibit fishin...