6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Arapahoe County permits backyard chickens in most residential zones under the Land Development Code. Unincorporated areas allow up to 6-8 hens with no roosters on standard residential lots. Aurora allows 8 hens per City Code §14-64. Larger livestock restricted to A-1 agricultural and R-E (Rural Estate) zoning.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County requires dogs to be under physical or voice control at all times per Animal Services Resolution No. 25-140. Dogs not under control are considered 'at large.' The Sheriff's Animal Services division enforces animal regulations.
Arapahoe County Animal Services Resolution No. 25-140
governments, governmental subdivisions or governmental agencies. K. "Pet Animal" means an animal as defined in 30-15-101(3), C.R.S., as amended. L. "Physical Control" means a dog is on a leash, rope or other means of physical restraint by a person physically capable of handling such dog so that freedom of the dog's movement is restricted. M. “Voice Control” means a dog is immediately and reliab...
Unincorporated Arapahoe County does not have breed-specific legislation. No dog breeds are banned. Colorado law HB 18-1126 prevents HOAs from restricting dogs based solely on breed, weight, or size. Nearby Aurora repealed its pit bull ban in January 2025.
Unincorporated Arapahoe County does not have specific beekeeping regulations. Agricultural zone districts (A-E, A-1) broadly allow agricultural uses including beekeeping. Residential zone beekeeping is generally permitted but may be subject to nuisance provisions.
Exotic animal ownership in unincorporated Arapahoe County is governed primarily by Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. A Commercial Wildlife Park License is required for native wildlife or exotic animals not on the state's unregulated wildlife list.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations prohibit intentional feeding of big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears). Arapahoe County follows CPW rules. Bird feeders are regulated in bear-active areas and unsecured trash can constitute illegal feeding.
4 cities in Arapahoe County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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