Animal Ordinances in Adams County, CO (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Adams County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Adams County defines livestock as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, mules and donkeys used in farm or ranch production. Livestock is excluded from the pet code and is instead governed by county agricultural zoning and Colorado's right-to-farm protections.
Livestock Rules in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Animal Control Code § 1-18
"Livestock" means cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and such horses, mules, donkeys, and other animals used in the farm or ranch production of food, fiber, or other agricultural products.
Dog Leash Laws
Unincorporated Adams County makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to let any animal run, go or be at large on a street, public place, or another person's property without written permission, under Ordinance No. 6. First offenses draw a $75 fine, rising to $150 and then $300.
Dogs at Large and Leash Law in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Ordinance No. 6, § 4-1 (Res. 2022-090)
4-1. Animals-at-large prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any animal to permit the same to run, go, or be at-large on any street or public place within the county, or upon the premises of any other person, without prior written permission of such other person. (a) Exceptions: This section shall not apply to areas designated by the county as dog training areas or off l...
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Adams County has no breed-specific ban. Its Animal Control Code regulates dogs by documented behavior instead: Section 5-6 makes it unlawful to own, harbor, keep, or control a dangerous dog that causes bodily injury, serious bodily injury, death of an animal, or property damage carrying restitution of more than $1,000, tracking the state definition at C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5.
Adams County Dangerous Dog Ownership Rules
Some RestrictionsAdams County Animal Control Code § 5-6
5-6. Dangerous dog (unlawful ownership), Damages/destroys property of another, Bodily injury to person, Serious bodily injury to person, Injury/death to an animal is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to unlawfully, own, possess, harbor, keep, have a financial/property interest in, have custody/control over a dangerous dog and said dog cause bodily injury to a person, serious bodil...
Exotic Pets
Adams County's Animal Control Code covers only "pet animals" kept for companionship and excludes wildlife, feral cats, and livestock. Keeping wild or exotic animals is governed mainly by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and state law, not a county exotic-pet permit.
Exotic & Wild Animals in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Animal Control Code § 1-23(b)
The definition of "pet animal" does not include feral cats, wildlife, livestock used for any purposes or that is estray as defined in § 35-44-101, C.R.S., or animals that are owned or bought and sold through the efforts of those that are licensed, inspected, or both, by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, or both.
Wildlife Feeding
Intentionally feeding, or trying to feed, any wildlife in an Adams County park, trail or open space area is unlawful without the county's written permission under Resolution 2022-649's Rule 6(d). The same rule bars hunting, trapping, disturbing or harassing wildlife, and government wildlife-management personnel acting under law are exempt from the ban.
Feeding Wildlife Banned in Adams County Parks
Heavy RestrictionsAdams County POSCA Rules & Regulations (Res. 2022-649), Rule 6(d); Art. IV § 1(b)
No person shall intentionally feed, or attempt to feed, any wildlife within any Adams County park, trail, or open space without permission from the County. This provision shall not apply to any county, state, or federal government personnel authorized by the County to carry out a wildlife management program pursuant to applicable law or county-approved rules and regulations. ... Violation of an...
Pet Limits
Neglecting, abandoning or mistreating animals is unlawful in Adams County under its Animal Control Code and Colorado's cruelty statute. Officers may impound neglected animals, and hoarding conditions are addressed through these cruelty and neglect provisions.
Animal Hoarding, Cruelty & Neglect in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Animal Control Code § 1-20
"Neglect" means failure to provide food, water, protection from the elements, or other care generally considered to be normal, usual, and accepted for an animal's health and well-being consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal.
Cat Rules
Adams County does not require cat licensing, but every cat must be vaccinated against rabies. Off the owner's property, a cat must wear its current rabies tag, and cats causing damage or running at large may be impounded.
Cat Rules in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Animal Control Code § 5-1(a),(c)
The owner or custodian of any dog or cat shall have such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by a licensed state veterinarian... It shall be unlawful for a dog or cat to be off of the property of its caretaker without wearing its current rabies vaccination tag, which shall be affixed to the dog by means of a collar or harness.
Animal Ordinances by City in Adams County
2 cities in Adams County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Adams County ordinances
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