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Animal Ordinances in Anoka County, MN (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Anoka County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Anoka County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Chickens & Livestock

In Anoka County's cities, livestock like horses, cattle, goats, and pigs are restricted to agricultural or large-lot zoning, not typical residential yards. Minnesota's right-to-farm law (Minn. Stat. 561.19) shields established farm operations in agriculturally zoned areas from nuisance suits.

Livestock and Right-to-Farm Rules in Anoka County

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 561.19, subd. 2

An agricultural operation is not and shall not become a private or public nuisance after two years from its established date of operation ... if the operation: (1) is located in an agriculturally zoned area; (2) complies with ... all applicable ... laws ... and any permits ...; and (3) operates according to generally accepted agricultural practices.

Dog Leash Laws

Anoka County's park ordinance requires every dog and other pet to stay on a leash unless the animal is inside a county-designated off-leash dog park. Owners without a valid leash face a petty misdemeanor citation, and dogs found running loose on park property can be seized by park staff and turned over to a facility.

Dogs Must Be Leashed in Anoka County Parks

Some Restrictions

Anoka County Ordinance No. 2018-1 (Amended and Restated), Chapter I, Def. (y); Chapter IV, § 2(b),(f); Chapter VIII, § 2

"Leash" means a cord, rope, strap, harness, or other tether, which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other pet or service animal and shall be of sufficient strength and length to keep such a dog or other animal under the handler's immediate control. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to: ... b. Bring a pet into a park, unless in a designated area and controlle...

Breed Restrictions

Minnesota law bars cities and counties from banning or regulating dogs based solely on breed. No pit-bull or breed ban exists in Anoka County. Dangerous-dog rules apply to a dog's behavior, not its breed, under Minn. Stat. 347.51.

Breed-Specific Dog Bans Prohibited in Minnesota

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 347.51, subd. 8

A statutory or home rule charter city, or a county, may not adopt an ordinance regulating dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs based solely on the specific breed of the dog. Ordinances inconsistent with this subdivision are void.

Wildlife Feeding

Anoka County bans feeding any wildlife in a county park unless the Director or designee gives permission first, and separately outlaws harassing, disturbing, or removing wild animals from park land. The rule reaches deer, geese, ducks, and every other wild creature, whether the feeding happens from a trail, a picnic table, or a parked car.

Feeding Wildlife Banned in Anoka County Parks

Significant Restrictions

Anoka County Ordinance No. 2018-1 (Amended and Restated), Chapter I, Def. (bbb); Chapter V, § 2(a),(c),(d)

"Wildlife" means any living creature, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation, power of voluntary motion, including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to: a. Kill, trap, hunt, remove, harass, annoy, pursue, or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed, any species of wildlife, except ...

All Anoka County ordinances

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