6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Desoto County, Mississippi.
Verified from official government sources
DeSoto County, MS allows backyard chickens and limited livestock under a patchwork of municipal zoning rules, with protection from over-regulation provided by Mississippi's Right to Farm Act, MS Code Ann. §95-3-29. Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, and Hernando each set their own limits, typically allowing 4-6 hens on standard residential lots with no roosters and setbacks of 25-50 feet from neighboring dwellings. Larger livestock like horses, cattle, and goats are restricted to agriculturally zoned parcels, with most unincorporated DeSoto County more permissive than the cities.
Desoto County enforces leash laws and animal control through local ordinances under MS Code Ann. §21-19-9. Dogs must be on leash or under control when off owner's property.
Desoto County may enforce breed-specific or dangerous dog ordinances. Mississippi does not have a statewide breed ban but allows municipalities to adopt local breed restrictions.
Desoto County regulates beekeeping through local zoning and the Mississippi Bee and Honey Law under MS Code Ann. §69-39-1 et seq. Mississippi is generally permissive toward apiculture.
Mississippi Code §49-8-5 requires a permit from MDWFP to possess inherently dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles). DeSoto County zoning restricts exotic animals in residential districts.
MDWFP prohibits supplemental feeding of deer in CWD Management Zones (DeSoto County is within the MS CWD Zone). Baiting restrictions apply. Feeding that creates a nuisance violates county nuisance code.
4 cities in Desoto County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Desoto County Ordinance Hub →