Animal Ordinances in South Bend, IN (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for South Bend, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
South Bend allows up to 6 hens per single-family home with a Chicken Coop Permit; roosters are banned. Coops give 1 sq ft per bird, sit 15 feet from lot lines and 20 feet from neighboring homes. Livestock needs 5 acres.
South Bend Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations)
Both the coop and pen location shall be situated behind the residential structure and be a minimum of fifteen feet (15') from any property line and twenty feet (20') from any residential dwelling.
Dog Leash Laws
South Bend requires every animal to be kept under control off the owner's property, meaning leashed, caged, or under voice control (Sec. 5-103). Owners are liable for an at-large animal even if it escaped by accident.
South Bend Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-103 (Running at large prohibited)
It shall always be the duty of the owner/guardian of any animal(s) or anyone having an animal in his possession to keep the animal under control while the animal is off the real property limits of the owner/guardian, possessor or custodian.
Breed Restrictions
South Bend does not ban dogs by breed. Instead, an Animal Welfare Commission hearing declares individual animals potentially dangerous or vicious based on behavior, triggering mandatory secure enclosures, muzzle-and-leash rules, warning signs, and forced sterilization.
South Bend Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-38 (Potentially dangerous animals)
(c)A potentially dangerous animal, while on the owner/guardian's property, shall, at all times, be kept indoors, or in a secured enclosure that is enclosed on all five (5) sides and is anchored to the ground from which the animal cannot escape, and into which children cannot trespass. A potentially dangerous animal may be off the owner/guardian's premises only if it is muzzled and restrained by...
Beekeeping
South Bend allows honey bee hives citywide but caps them at 17 cubic feet and sets strict placement rules: a 4-foot setback from the property line with a flyway barrier, and a 10-foot minimum from any public sidewalk. Code Enforcement fines violations $75 per day.
South Bend Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, art. 2, Sec. 5-10 (Honey bee keeping public safety regulations)
(a)Any person desiring to raise the common domestic honey bee, limited to the Apis mellifera species, must comply with the following public safety regulations.(b)No hive shall exceed seventeen (17) cubic feet in volume.(c)Location requirements.(1)Where a lot has a fence, hives must maintain a four (4) foot radial distance from the property line as measured from the center of the hive.(2)Where a...
Exotic Pets
South Bend bans keeping, buying, selling or trading a dangerous wild or exotic animal, and any wild or exotic animal citywide requires the necessary state and federal permits. Violating animals can be seized immediately and become city property after a 7-day hold.
South Bend Exotic and Dangerous Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-40 (Exotic animals and native wildlife)
(a)No wild or exotic animal shall be kept within the city without the necessary state and/or federal permits.(b)No person shall keep, shelter, harbor, buy, sell, or trade within the city a dangerous wild animal or a dangerous exotic animal as defined in this chapter except as provided in paragraph (c) below.(c)This section shall not apply to permitted zoological parks or zoos, educational, or m...
Wildlife Feeding
South Bend prohibits feeding a free-roaming cat for more than 3 days unless enrolled in the managed community-cat program (Sec. 5-107), and bars leg-hold traps and poisoned bait. No ordinance specifically bans feeding deer.
South Bend Wildlife & Stray Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-107 (Unlawful care of a free-roaming cat)
It shall be unlawful for a person to provide food, water or shelter to a free-roaming cat for a period of more than three (3) days unless in compliance with Secs. 5-27, 5-28 and 5-29 of this Chapter.
Pet Limits
South Bend does not cap altered pets, but owning more than one unaltered dog or cat over six months old requires a kennel/cattery permit and inspection. Initial permits allow no more than three unaltered pets, and a residential permit costs $50 to $300.
South Bend Household Pet Ownership Limits
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-60 (Kennel/cattery permit regulations)
(a)Any person owning or harboring more than one (1) unaltered dog or one (1) unaltered cat over the age of six (6) months must apply for a kennel/cattery permit.(1)A resident exceeding one (1) intact animal on the property may apply for a non-altered residential permit. Applications will be followed by an inspection prior to issuance of the permit...a.Initial application eligibility requires no...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
South Bend does not require every pet to be fixed, but a dog or cat impounded stray or at-large a second time must be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense before redemption. Arrangements are due within 24 hours of reclaim.
South Bend Mandatory Spay/Neuter on Repeat Impound
Significant RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-108(d) (Redemption)
(b)Stray or at-large animals will be held three (3) business days at the Division of Animal Welfare.(c)Unclaimed animals become the property of the Division of Animal Welfare and may be placed for adoption, transferred to rescue or humanely euthanized, pursuant to Section 5-106.(d)An animal that has been previously impounded stray or at-large and is now being redeemed for the second or subseque...
Pet Store Rules
South Bend allows pet shops to sell dogs and cats, it is not adoption-only, but every shop needs a permit, must give buyers a written health disclosure, must register each buyer with Animal Welfare, and cannot sell any puppy or kitten under eight weeks old.
South Bend Pet Shop Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN, Municipal Code ch. 5, Sec. 5-65 (Pet shop permit)
(a)Any person operating a pet shop as defined in this chapter shall obtain a pet shop permit.(b)The permit holder shall furnish the purchaser a written statement at the time of sale containing the following:(1)Date of sale,(2)Name, address and telephone number of purchaser and permit holder,(3)Permit number of permit holder,(4)Breed, description, approximate age and sex of dog, cat or other ani...
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