Animal Ordinances in Springfield, MO (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Springfield, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Springfield, Missouri caps most residential lots at six hens, requires secure setback coops, and bans roosters, commercial breeding, and off-property odor or noise.
Springfield, MO Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 18-24
The maximum number of chickens allowed is six per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. Only female chickens shall be allowed. There shall be no restriction on chicken breeds. It shall be unlawful to engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes.
Dog Leash Laws
Springfield, Missouri bans letting a dog run at large anywhere in the city, with owners facing a mandatory minimum $10.00 fine per violation.
Springfield, MO Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 18-53
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person owning, controlling, harboring, possessing, or having the management or care of any dog to permit such dog to run at large.(b)The minimum fine for violation of this section shall be not less than $10.00 for each separate violation, which minimum fine shall be the minimum fine levied pursuant to section 1-7.
Breed Restrictions
Springfield, Missouri outright bans owning, possessing, or harboring pit bulls citywide under City Code § 18-95, defining the breed by American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier standards, with only narrow show/transport exceptions.
Springfield MO Bans Pit Bulls Citywide
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield City Code §§ 18-95, 18-96 (Prohibition of Pit Bull Dogs)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city any pit bull. ... Pit bull means any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds.
Beekeeping
Springfield, Missouri lets residents keep honey bees if they provide a nearby water source, prove training or experience, and label hives, but bars other bee species off agricultural land.
Springfield, MO Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 18-28
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to keep, harbor or allow any colony or colonies of any species of bee other than a "honey bee" on land that is not zoned for agricultural uses by the city. ... [E]ach person or entity ... shall make available ... a useable water source within 20 feet of the colony or hive such that bees will be discouraged from congregating at swimming pools, founta...
Exotic Pets
Springfield, Missouri prohibits keeping, possessing, displaying, or selling wild animals within city limits, including dangerous carnivores, primates, poisonous reptiles, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and turtles.
Springfield, MO Bans Keeping Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 18-13
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess, display or offer for sale any wild animal within the city. For the purpose of this section, the term "wild animals" shall include but not be limited to dangerous or exotic carnivorous animals and bats, nonhuman primates, dangerous or poisonous reptiles, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums and turtles, or any wild animal crossbred to domestic d...
Pet Limits
Springfield caps pets at four cats and four dogs over six months old per dwelling, with a kennel-license exception for dogs, under City Code section 18-5.
Springfield MO Pet Cat Dog Limit
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 18-5
(a)Cats. No person shall at any time keep, harbor or own as pets more than four cats over the age of six months.(b)Dogs. It shall be unlawful for a family living in a dwelling to keep, maintain, harbor or own more than four dogs over the age of six months on or about the lot, unless a license has been issued by the city to operate a kennel. Any family that has more than four dogs per dwelling a...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Springfield's Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district allows veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, pet daycare and grooming facilities, and kennels, but bans outdoor kennel activity and requires 25-foot buffers plus six-foot screening near residential districts.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Springfield, MO
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Land Development Code § 36-422(2)(bbb)
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, pet daycare services, pet grooming facilities, and kennels. No outside activities shall be permitted for kennels. Veterinary clinics... may have supervised outside activities... All outside activity spaces shall be fully enclosed and screened from adjacent residential uses, districts and all public rights-of-way with a six-foot tall barrier... No outside ac...
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