10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Whether you can keep chickens or livestock in unincorporated Jeffco depends on your zone district. Most residential zones allow up to 6 chickens/ducks (no roosters) with a Miscellaneous Permit; larger residential and agricultural lots allow horses, cattle, and unlimited poultry.
Jefferson County Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning, note M (rev. 09-24-2024)
6 chickens and/or ducks (no roosters) and up to 2 bee hives are allowed in single-family, duplex, and two-family dwellings only with a Miscellaneous Permit per the Urban Agriculture requirements in the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 5: Accessory Uses.
In unincorporated Jefferson County a dog off its owner's property must be leashed (10-foot max) and under control. A "dog at large" is off-premises, uncontrolled, and out of the owner's sight. Dog at large is a petty offense.
Jefferson County Animal Control Regulation A.9, A.15 (CC24-042)
"Control" means physical control of a dog by means of a leash, cord or chain no longer than ten (10) feet in length. "Dog at Large" means a dog that is off the premises of the dog owner, not under control and the owner is not observed to be within sight of his/her dog.
Jefferson County cannot ban or restrict dogs by breed. Colorado state law (CRS 18-9-204.5) bars counties and municipalities from regulating dangerous dogs in a breed-specific way, so there is no pit bull or other breed ban in unincorporated Jeffco.
CRS 18-9-204.5(5)(b)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate a county's authority under part 1 of article 15 of title 30, C.R.S., to adopt dog control and licensing resolutions and to impose the penalties set forth in section 30-15-102, C.R.S.; except that any such resolution shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
In many residential zones of unincorporated Jefferson County you may keep up to 2 beehives on single-family, duplex, or two-family lots, but only with a Miscellaneous Permit under the county's Urban Agriculture rules. Agricultural zones allow bees without number limits.
Jefferson County Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning, note M (rev. 09-24-2024)
6 chickens and/or ducks (no roosters) and up to 2 bee hives are allowed in single-family, duplex, and two-family dwellings only with a Miscellaneous Permit per the Urban Agriculture requirements in the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 5: Accessory Uses.
Jefferson County's zoning chart addresses large exotics like buffalo, ostriches, and emu, which are only allowed in agricultural zones. Truly wild/dangerous exotic species are further governed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules, which prohibit most private possession of native wildlife.
Jefferson County Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning, notes D/F (rev. 09-24-2024)
Buffalo, ostriches, emu — [permitted in] A-1, A-2, A-35 [Agricultural zones]: Properties meeting the minimum lot size: no limit. Properties not meeting the minimum lot size: same as [large-animal density rule].
In Jefferson County, as statewide, it is illegal to intentionally feed big-game wildlife. Colorado Parks and Wildlife prohibits placing feed, salt, or attractants for deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bears. Violators face a fine.
Large livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, hogs) are allowed on larger suburban/mountain-residential and agricultural lots in unincorporated Jeffco. On qualifying zones, density is 1 animal per 9,000 sq ft open space (6,000 sq ft each additional), max 4 per acre.
Jefferson County Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning, note C (rev. 09-24-2024)
9,000 sq ft open space for the first animal. 6,000 sq ft for each additional animal. Maximum of 4 per acre. For personal use or ranching. Stallions or bulls shall be kept in a pen, corral, or run that is enclosed by a 6' chain link fence or material of equal strength.
Jefferson County requires proper care for every animal and treats hoarding-type conditions (inadequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, or feces accumulation) as offenses. Severe cases are prosecuted as cruelty to animals, a Class I misdemeanor under Colorado law.
Jefferson County Animal Control Regulation A.22 (CC24-042)
"Improper Care" includes (A) the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary [care], sanitation, or grooming; (B) unsafe tethering...; (C) allowing the accumulation of feces or urine on or inside of any premises... to the extent that [it] creates an unsanitary, offensive or unhealthy condition for an animal.
In most residential zones of unincorporated Jefferson County, the maximum number of cats, dogs, potbelly pigs, and similar domesticated pets you may keep is 3. Litters of puppies and kittens may be kept until weaned. Agricultural lots meeting minimum size have no limit.
Jefferson County Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning, note A (rev. 09-24-2024)
Max number of cats, dogs, potbelly pigs & similar domesticated pets which may be kept is 3. Litters of puppies and kittens may be kept until weaned.
Jefferson County does not license cats or impose a leash law on them, and cats found at large are generally not impounded. Cats count toward the 3-pet zoning limit, and owners must provide proper care, report bites, and honor rabies quarantine.
Jefferson County Animal Control Regulation E.1 (CC24-042)
An Animal Control Officer may take into custody and impound... any dog found at large, any dog or cat that has allegedly bitten a person or been exposed to rabies-vector wildlife, or any dog or cat that is sick or injured... and any other pet animal (except cats) that are found to be at large.
2 cities in Jefferson County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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