Animal Ordinances in Rochester, MN (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Rochester, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Rochester allows up to three hen chickens per property with a city permit, no roosters ever, and up to twelve hens if the permit is for an educational program. Coops and runs must sit 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling and stay under strict size and fencing rules.
Rochester Backyard Chicken Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsRochester, MN City Code § 3-4-1(a)
It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor chickens on any premises unless issued a permit to do so as provided in this chapter or except as specifically allowed under law or ordinance. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no permit shall be issued for the keeping or harboring of more than three hen chickens on any premises. No permit shall be issued for the keeping of any...
Dog Leash Laws
Rochester bars any dog from running at large anywhere in the city, and in an on-leash area the leash, chain or cable cannot exceed ten feet. Cats can roam unless they wander onto public property or someone else's land without consent.
Rochester Leash & At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsRochester, MN City Code § 3-1-7
No owner of any animal, except a cat, whether kept, harbored, or maintained within or without the city, shall permit or suffer such animal to run or move at large at any time within the city... Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the owner of a cat shall not permit such animal to be at large on public property or on the private property of another unless the owner ...
Breed Restrictions
Rochester has no breed ban; it instead adopts Minnesota's dangerous-dog statute by reference, expands the definition of proper enclosure, drops the sterilization requirement, and requires a $25,000 bond or insurance policy once a hearing officer finds a dog potentially dangerous after a bite.
Rochester Dangerous Dog Regulations
Significant RestrictionsRochester, MN City Code § 3-1-17(a)-(b)
The provisions of Minn. Stats. §§ 347.50-347.565, relating to the regulation of dangerous dogs, are hereby incorporated by reference and adopted as part of this section... Notwithstanding the provisions of Minn. Stats. §§ 347.50-347.565, the following provisions shall apply: (1) The definition of the term "proper enclosure" shall be expanded...; (2) The dog owner shall not be required to have t...
Exotic Pets
Rochester bans keeping wild animals within city limits, naming big cats, wolf hybrids, venomous snakes, raccoons, bears and pot-bellied pigs among the prohibited species, with narrow carve-outs for small caged pets, service animals and licensed wildlife rehabbers.
Rochester Wild & Exotic Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRochester, MN City Code § 3-1-4(a)-(b)
It shall be unlawful to keep any wild animal within the city limits, except as permitted pursuant to the provisions of this section. As used in this section, the term "wild animal" means any animal, mammal, amphibian or reptile which is of a species which is wild by nature or of a species which, due to size, vicious nature or other characteristics, is inherently dangerous to human beings.
Pet Limits
Rochester caps most households at eight cats, dogs and ferrets combined, and no more than five dogs, unless the resident holds a city breeder's permit. New residents may keep whatever they already legally own within those caps.
Rochester Household Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsRochester, MN City Code § 3-1-3(a)
No person shall keep nine or more multiple animals over the age of six months within any household in the city. The term "multiple animals" means two or more cats, dogs or ferrets. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no person shall keep six or more dogs over the age of six months within any household in the city. These limits do not apply if a breeder's permit is applied for and iss...
Looking for Olmsted County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Olmsted County →