Animal Ordinances in Daviess County, KY (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Daviess County, Kentucky.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Daviess County bars keeping livestock or a non-domestic animal on residential property under two acres within 100 feet of a neighbor's home, but Code of Ordinances Section 90.04(A)(1) carves out up to six female chickens on a half-acre or larger lot inside a secure, latched enclosure at least 50 feet from a neighboring dwelling.
Daviess County Backyard Chicken & Livestock Rule
Some RestrictionsDaviess County Code of Ordinances § 90.04(A)(1)
No person shall keep or maintain livestock or a non-domestic animal on a residential property of less than two acres and within 100 feet of a dwelling not owned or occupied by the owner of the livestock or non-domestic animal. (1) Except an owner of at least one-half acre or more may keep six or fewer female chickens for personal, family, or home use in a fence or structure of sufficient height...
Dog Leash Laws
Daviess County requires owners to restrain every domestic animal except cats under Code of Ordinances Section 90.10, keeping dogs under absolute control rather than running loose. Farm animals raised commercially on non-residential land and hunting dogs on a lawful hunt are the only exceptions.
Daviess County Dog Restraint & At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsDaviess County Code of Ordinances § 90.10
Owners shall restrain all domestic animals except cats. (A) No owner or person in charge of any animal shall permit such animal to run at large unless such animal (except cats) is under the absolute control of the owner or his or her agent. (B) Owners shall confine all domestic female dogs or cats in heat in a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that such animal cannot come into conta...
Breed Restrictions
Daviess County has no breed-specific ban; instead Code of Ordinances Section 90.30 defines a dangerous dog by conduct such as biting, unprovoked aggression or menacing behavior, then Section 90.32 imposes secure-enclosure, muzzle-and-leash and registration duties on that dog's owner regardless of breed.
Daviess County Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsDaviess County Code of Ordinances § 90.30
DANGEROUS DOG. (1) Any dog that bites or attacks any person or has attempted to bite or attack any person...(2) Any dog with a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, to cause injury, or otherwise threaten the safety of domestic animals; or any dog which attacks a person or domestic animal without provocation or without justification; (3) Any dog whether leashed or not, which, in a vici...
Exotic Pets
Daviess County bans keeping non-domestic animals, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, non-human primates and venomous reptiles, on any premises under Code of Ordinances Section 90.11. Limited exceptions cover circuses, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, vet hospitals, research institutions and zoos.
Daviess County Non-Domestic Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDaviess County Code of Ordinances § 90.11
No person shall keep or permit any non-domestic animal to be kept on their premises. (A) This section shall not be construed to apply to the following: (1) Licensed circuses and theatrical exhibits; (2) Authorized wildlife rehabilitators with any required state-issued or federal-issued permit, subject to the restrictions below; (3) Licensed veterinary hospitals for the purpose of treating injur...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Daviess County will not release an animal for adoption from its Animal Shelter under Code of Ordinances Section 90.12 unless the new owner agrees to have it spayed or neutered, and any nonprofit rescue placing animals in the county must sterilize before adoption too.
Daviess County Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsDaviess County Code of Ordinances § 90.12
§ 90.12 STERILIZATION. No animal shall be released for adoption from the Daviess County Animal Shelter unless the new owner agrees to subject the animal to be spayed or neutered. (A) The Daviess County Animal Shelter may refuse to release any animal for adoption. (B) Any 501(c)(3) organization or other similar organization may release an animal for adoption in Daviess County only if the organiz...
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