Animal Ordinances in Arapahoe County, CO (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Arapahoe County allows agricultural animals by right in the A-E, A-1, RR-A and RR-B zone districts. There's no cap on numbers in most of those districts, but RR-B parcels are limited to one agricultural animal per acre unless the animals qualify as small non-commercial agricultural animals.
Arapahoe County Livestock & Farm Animal Rules
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.1.A
A. AGRICULTURAL ANIMALS 1. Agricultural animals are permitted only in the A-E, A-1, RR-A, and RR-B zone districts and there is no limit to the number of agricultural animals allowed per acre except as provided for below. 2. In the RR-B zone district a maximum of one agricultural animal per acre is allowed except that there is no limit on small agricultural animals kept for non-commercial use (s...
Dog Leash Laws
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 Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsArapahoe 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...
Beekeeping
Unincorporated Arapahoe County allows backyard hives on single-family residential lots under Land Development Code § 3-3.2.I.2, scaling the number of hive boxes to lot size and fixing height, setback and flyway rules. A-E, A-1, RR-A and RR-B lots have no hive-box cap.
Arapahoe County Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.2.I.2
2. Backyard Bees Requirements and Restrictions. Number of hive boxes allowed: Lot Area / Number of Hive Boxes — Less than 20,000 sf: 2; 20,000 sf to 1 acre: 4; 1 acre or more: 8 (A-E, A-1, RR-A, and RR-B zone districts do not have a hive box limit). Setback/height requirements: i. Maximum height, per hive box: up to six (6) feet in height above ground level and up to ten (10) cubic feet in volu...
Exotic Pets
Arapahoe County's Land Development Code flatly prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals, poisonous animals, or any constrictor snake or reptile over three feet long as pets anywhere in unincorporated Arapahoe County. The ban sits inside the LDC's zoning definition of 'Pets,' which also caps allowed household pets to dogs, cats, potbellied pigs and small pet-store animals.
Arapahoe County Ban on Wild, Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 7-2, Definitions ("Pets")
Pets: Dogs and cats over the age of six months, potbellied pigs, and reptiles or other small animals of a type typically purchased at local pet stores, which are customarily kept in the home or on the premises for the sole pleasure and enjoyment of the occupants and not raised for commercial purposes. The definition of pets does not include chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys or other poultry or do...
Pet Limits
Unincorporated Arapahoe County caps household pets by zone under Land Development Code § 3-3.2.E. Most residential districts, RR-C through R-2-B, PUD residential and R-M, allow three pets per dwelling; A-1, RR-A and RR-B allow four; the A-E district has no cap at all.
Arapahoe County Pet Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.2.E
A maximum combination of three pets per dwelling unit is allowed in the RR-C, R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-2-A, R-2-B, PUD-zoned residential areas, and R-M zone districts. A maximum combination of three pets per dwelling unit is allowed in any residential use or property with a density greater than one unit per 2.41 acres. A maximum of four pets per dwelling unit is allowed in the A-1, RR-A, a...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Unincorporated Arapahoe County treats an animal hospital or veterinary clinic as a Special Exception use in its agricultural and residential zone districts, requiring Board of Adjustment approval under LDC § 5-5.1, while permitting it by-right in the B-1, B-3 and other non-residential and PUD districts. Wherever a clinic sits in the B-1 or B-3 district, the code bars any outdoor kennel outright.
Arapahoe County Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.1.B.1
B. ANIMAL FACILITIES 1. Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics and animal day care facilities in the B-1 and B-3 zone districts are not allowed to have outdoor kennels.
Animal Ordinances by City in Arapahoe County
2 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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