Animal Ordinances in Clark County, IN (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Clark County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Clark County's A1 Agricultural Zone, raising livestock is a permitted use by right. Section 156.21(B)(1) lists agricultural uses, including crop raising and raising of livestock, among the uses a property owner may operate without seeking a special use permit, as long as the parcel sits in the A1 district.
Clark County Livestock Raising in A1 Zone
Few RestrictionsClark County Code of Ordinances § 156.21(B)(1)
(B) Permitted uses. No building structure or premises shall be used, arranged or designed to be used except for one or more of the following uses: (1) Agricultural uses including crop raising, truck gardens, greenhouses and plant nurseries and accessories as normally associated with such agricultural operations and/or raising of livestock;
Dog Leash Laws
Section 91.36 requires every dog and cat in Clark County to be kept under restraint at all times, defined by Section 91.35 as not being allowed to run at large on public property or on private property other than the owner's, though trained working dogs are excused from leashing under reasonable control.
Clark County Requires Dogs and Cats Under Restraint
Some RestrictionsClark County Code of Ordinances §§ 91.35, 91.36
§ 91.36 RESTRAINT. All dogs/cats in the county shall be kept under restraint at all times. ... RESTRAINT. A dog/cat shall be deemed to be under RESTRAINT if its owner or person in charge of it does not cause or allow it to run at large upon any public place or upon any private property, other than the owner's; however, working dogs, such as lead dogs, guard dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs and oth...
Pet Limits
Clark County's zoning code draws the line for a residential pet owner at four animals: Section 156.05 defines a kennel as any premises keeping more than four dogs, cats, or other household domestic animals over four months old, or keeping more than two for pay or for sale. Crossing that line reclassifies the property under the zoning table's Special Use 6.
Clark County Dog and Cat Kennel Threshold
Some RestrictionsClark County Code of Ordinances § 156.05
KENNEL. Any premises or portions thereof on which more than four dogs, cats or other household domestic animals over four months of age are kept or on which more than two such animals are maintained, boarded, bred or cared for, in return for remuneration, or are kept for the purpose of sale.
Cat Rules
Section 91.39 requires every female dog or cat in heat to be confined in a building or secure enclosure so it cannot contact another animal except for planned breeding, a rule enforced alongside the county's general restraint and licensing requirements for cats under the Control of Dogs and Cats subchapter.
Clark County Cat Heat-Confinement Requirement
Some RestrictionsClark County Code of Ordinances § 91.39
§ 91.39 DOGS/CATS IN HEAT; CONFINEMENT. (A) Every female dog/cat in heat shall be confined in a building or secure enclosure in such manner that such dog/cat cannot come into contact with another dog/cat except for planned breeding. (B) Any person violating this section shall be subject to the fines hereinafter provided.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Clark County treats animal hospitals and kennels as a special use, Table S.U. item #6, meaning a site needs Board of Zoning Appeals approval on top of its base zoning before a vet clinic or kennel can open in unincorporated Clark County, under Code § 156.48(F).
Clark County Animal Hospital Zoning Rule
Significant RestrictionsClark County Code of Ordinances § 156.48(F), Table S.U.
(F) Limitations on special uses. Only those special uses that are indicated on Table S.U., following this section, shall be permitted in the zoning districts indicated by the table. ... List of Special Use Designations ... Animal hospitals and kennels 6
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