Animal Ordinances in Anoka County, MN (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Anoka County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
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 RestrictionsMinn. 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 RestrictionsAnoka 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 RestrictionsMinn. 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.
Exotic Pets
Cities ban dangerous exotic pets. Blaine Sec. 14-217 prohibits keeping any nondomesticated animal, including skunks, large cats, and wild species. Minnesota also bars private ownership of regulated dangerous animals such as big cats, bears, and primates under Minn. Stat. 346.155.
Exotic and Wild Animals Banned by City Code
Some RestrictionsBlaine City Code Sec. 14-217
No person or entity shall keep, maintain or harbor within the city, any of the following animals: (1) Any animal or species prohibited by federal or state law. (2) Any nondomesticated animal or species, including, but not limited to, the following: a. Any skunk... b. Any large cat of the [cat family].
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 RestrictionsAnoka 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 ...
Pet Limits
Cities cap household pets before a permit is needed. Coon Rapids requires a multiple-pet permit for any combination of four or more dogs and/or cats. Blaine treats four or more animals of one type as a private kennel requiring a license.
How Many Dogs and Cats You Can Keep
Some RestrictionsCoon Rapids City Code Sec. 6-205, 6-203
No person shall keep or maintain a multiple pet location in the City except upon obtaining a multiple pet permit from the Police Chief. [Multiple Pet Location means] a place where four or more dogs, cats, or any combination thereof over six months of age are kept.
Cat Rules
Cats are covered by city animal codes. Blaine requires every cat over 12 months old to be vaccinated against rabies and counts cats in its at-large and kennel rules. Coon Rapids no longer requires cat registration but still mandates rabies vaccination.
Cat Rules and Rabies Vaccination in Anoka County
Some RestrictionsBlaine City Code Sec. 14-76
Every dog over three months of age and every cat over 12 months of age shall be vaccinated against rabies and at such intervals as set forth by the state board of animal health.
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