Animal Ordinances in Woodbury, MN (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Woodbury, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Under an ordinance adopted in October 2024, Woodbury allows hens only (no roosters) on properties in the R-1 (Urban Reserve) and R-2 (Single-family Estate) zoning districts. Three hens are allowed on lots of 0-3.99 acres, and one chicken per acre on properties of four acres or more. Typical city lots zoned R-4 still cannot keep chickens.
Woodbury Backyard Chickens
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Woodbury's City Code (Chapter 5) prohibits allowing dogs, cats or other domestic animals to run at large beyond the owner's property. Off your property, a dog must be leashed and under your control, and owners must clean up after their pets.
Woodbury Dog Leash & At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Woodbury's published animal pages do not identify a breed-specific ban (such as a pit bull prohibition). Dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs are regulated under Minnesota Statutes 347.50-347.565, which set registration, secure-enclosure, insurance and identification requirements for dogs declared dangerous regardless of breed.
Woodbury Dangerous Dogs (No Breed Ban)
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Woodbury classifies bees as livestock in its City Code. Because livestock is allowed only on agricultural-zoned property of at least five acres, keeping a beehive in a typical residential backyard is not permitted; beekeeping is reserved for the city's more agricultural areas.
Woodbury Beekeeping
Heavy RestrictionsExotic Pets
Woodbury prohibits owning, caring for, or having custody or control of non-domestic animals such as tigers, lions, bears and primates. The ban covers wild members of the cat family (felidae) and canine family (canidae) but excludes recognized domestic cats and dogs. Limited exceptions exist for traveling circuses, zoos and exhibits.
Woodbury Exotic & Non-Domestic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Washington County, where Woodbury sits, is under a Minnesota DNR deer feeding and attractant ban, so placing food capable of attracting deer is prohibited countywide. Woodbury also runs a Canada Goose Management Plan to address overpopulation, reflecting the city's focus on not concentrating nuisance wildlife.
Woodbury Wildlife Feeding (Deer & Geese)
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Woodbury allows livestock (except hens, which have separate rules) only on agricultural-zoned property of at least five acres. The city defines livestock broadly to include cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, bees and more, and keeping more than one livestock animal per acre requires a conditional use permit under the zoning chapter.
Woodbury Livestock Keeping
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Woodbury's three-pet-per-property limit and kennel rule cap how many animals a household may keep, while severe overcrowding and neglect are addressed under Minnesota's animal-cruelty law, Statute 343.21, which bars depriving animals of food, water or shelter and keeping animals in conditions that cause unnecessary suffering.
Woodbury Animal Hoarding
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Woodbury's City Code allows up to three domestic pets per property for personal use, with no limit on the number of aquarium fish. Keeping four or more domesticated pets is treated as a kennel, which is prohibited except under an interim conditional use permit.
Woodbury Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Woodbury treats cats like other domestic animals: they may not run at large beyond the owner's property and must be under the owner's control off the property. Cats count toward the three-pet-per-property limit, and the city regulates animal noise nuisances under Chapter 5.