Animal Ordinances in Greene County, MO (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Greene County, Missouri.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Greene County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Chickens & Livestock

In unincorporated Greene County, chickens count as 'small-sized domestic animals' allotted by an acreage-based animal-unit formula: zero allowed on residential tracts under 2.9 acres, more on larger lots. Springfield and other cities enforce separate codes.

Backyard Chickens & Livestock in Greene County

Some Restrictions

Greene County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, § 23(D)(1)

Residential tracts (less than 2.9 acres) 0 AU Residential tracts (3-8 acres) 1 AU per lot Residential tracts (8.1 acres-19.9 acres) 1 AU per acre Agriculture tracts (less than 1 acre) 0 AU Agricultural tracts (1-3acres) 1.5 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (3.1-5 acres) 3.5 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (5.1-9.9 acres) 8 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (10 acres-19.9 acres) 1 AU per acre ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Exotic Pets

Unincorporated Greene County requires a Conditional Use Permit before keeping predators, carnivores, venomous, or oversized animals as pets, and caps exotic pets like monkeys or pot-bellied pigs at two per home without one. Springfield, Republic, and other cities enforce their own separate codes.

Dangerous & Exotic Pets Need CUP in Greene County

Significant Restrictions

Greene County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, § 24

Any animal designated as dangerous (predators, carnivores, venomous, oversized, etc.,) must have a Conditional Use Permit to be allowed as a pet in any district; provided, however, no retail or wholesale business will be conducted in conjunction with the keeping of such animals in any district lower than C-2, General Commercial District. The keeping of such animals must conform to the Departmen...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Pet Limits

Unincorporated Greene County caps household pets at four dogs and four cats per dwelling, six dogs and cats combined, under the county zoning regulations.

Greene County Pet Limits: 4 Dogs, 4 Cats

Some Restrictions

Greene County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, § 23(C)

1. Dogs A maximum of four (4) dogs shall be allowed for a dwelling unit. 2. Cats A maximum of four (4) cats shall be allowed for a dwelling unit. 3. Total A total of six (6) dogs and cats shall be allowed for a dwelling unit. 4. Common household animals A maximum of four (4) common household animals not including dogs and cats shall be allowed for a dwelling unit. Greene County Zoning ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Animal Ordinances by City in Greene County

1 cities in Greene County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

SpringfieldPop. 169,176

7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions

All Greene County ordinances

See every category we cover for Greene County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Greene County Ordinance Hub →