Animal Ordinances in Jefferson County, CO (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Horses, Cattle and Large Livestock Density by Zone
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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.
Dog Leash Laws
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.
Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Law in Unincorporated Jeffco
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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.
Breed Restrictions
Colorado law bars Jefferson County from banning or restricting dogs by breed. Under C.R.S. §18-9-204.5, a dog is declared 'dangerous' only for what it does, and an owner convicted after a bite can face a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 5 felony, court-ordered confiscation, and euthanasia of the dog.
No Breed-Specific Dog Bans in Jefferson County
Few RestrictionsC.R.S. §18-9-204.5(2)(b), (5)(a)-(b), 2023 Colorado Revised Statutes
(2)(b) "Dangerous dog" means any dog that: (I) Inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury upon or causes the death of a person or domestic animal; or (II) Demonstrates tendencies that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the dog may inflict bodily or serious bodily injury upon or cause the death of any person or domestic animal... (5)(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to pr...
Beekeeping
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.
Backyard Beekeeping Rules in Unincorporated Jeffco
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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.
Exotic Pets
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.
Exotic and Large Non-Traditional Animals in Jeffco
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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].
Pet Limits
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.
How Many Dogs and Cats You Can Own in Unincorporated Jeffco
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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.
Cat Rules
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.
Cat Rules in Jefferson County
Some RestrictionsJefferson 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.
Animal Ordinances by City in Jefferson County
2 cities in Jefferson County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Jefferson County ordinances
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