Animal Ordinances in Jefferson County, MO (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Jefferson County, Missouri.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Jefferson County forbids letting any dog run at large in the unincorporated county, defining at large as off the owner's property and not under the physical restraint of a person capable of controlling it; Animal Control can pursue and impound loose dogs even onto unenclosed private land.
Jefferson County Dogs-At-Large Prohibition
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances § 215.240(A)-(B)
No person shall permit an animal to run at large in the unincorporated area of Jefferson County. The Animal Control Manager or his/her agents shall take up and hold any animal that may be found running or being at large in the County contrary to the provisions of this Chapter or any lawful order made pursuant thereto. Animals found running at large may be pursued across, or taken upon, unenclos...
Breed Restrictions
Jefferson County does not ban breeds; instead its Animal Control Division declares an animal 'potentially dangerous' or 'dangerous' based on documented bites, attacks or aggressive behavior witnessed by an officer. A dangerous-animal declaration triggers strict enclosure, insurance, muzzling and registry requirements regardless of the animal's breed.
Jefferson County, MO Dangerous Animal Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances § 215.290
A. Any animal that bites, attacks or injures a person or other domesticated animal, or displays high degrees of aggressive behavior as witnessed by an Animal Control Officer, may be declared potentially dangerous or dangerous animals by the Animal Control Division. ... The dangerous animal must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not longer than four (4) feet and under phy...
Exotic Pets
Jefferson County outlaws keeping native wildlife as pets: no one may own, harbor or keep a raccoon, skunk, fox, squirrel or other Missouri-indigenous wild animal. Any dangerous wild animal must also be registered with the Sheriff's Department and licensed through Animal Control before the county will allow it.
Jefferson County, MO Bans Wild Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances § 215.360
All dangerous wild animals, as defined by this Chapter, shall be registered with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department pursuant to 578.023, RSMo., and said animals must be licensed with the Animal Control Division. No person shall own, harbor or keep any raccoon, skunk, fox, squirrel or other wild animal indigenous to the State of Missouri pursuant to State and Federal law.
Cat Rules
Jefferson County requires every cat kept in the unincorporated county to carry a paid County Animal License, treats the license as a presumption of ownership, and gives only transient cats a 30-day exemption; unlicensed cats can be impounded by Animal Control.
Jefferson County Cat Licensing Requirement
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances § 215.150
No dog or cat shall be permitted within the unincorporated areas of Jefferson County unless such animal is licensed and the fee imposed by this Chapter is paid. A County Animal License constitutes a presumption of ownership. Transient animals, as defined herein, are exempt from such requirement but only for thirty (30) days.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Jefferson County requires every animal over three months old to be spayed or neutered before it can be adopted from the Animal Control Center, and requires microchipping before any impounded animal, adopted or redeemed by its owner, can be released, with owners paying the cost.
Jefferson County Spay/Neuter for Shelter Release
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances § 215.270
No animal impounded for any reason in the Animal Control Center shall be released until the animal is microchipped for identification. If the animal has not been microchipped, the person wanting to redeem or adopt the animal shall pay in advance a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) to have the animal microchipped. No animal shall be released to any person who refuses to pay the fee in advance....
Pet Groomer Rules
Jefferson County's Unified Development Order lists "Pet/animal grooming and/or training" as a Table 5-1 permitted use in the unincorporated county, tagged (H) for Home Occupation. Run from a house, it must satisfy Section 400.2890's accessory-use conditions, including a 33% floor-area cap and a one-outside-employee limit, or the operation is prohibited outright.
Jefferson County Pet Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsJefferson Co., MO UDO §§ 400.1650 (Table 5-1), 400.2890(A)(2)(a)(7)-(8) & (B)
P = Use permitted by right ... X = Per approved plan ... Pet/animal grooming and/or training(H) P X X ... Any proposed home occupation not specifically permitted in Table 5-1 of Article V, Zoning Districts, of this UDO shall be prohibited. ... (7) No persons other than self or family members residing on the premises, plus one (1) additional person not residing on the premises, shall be employed...
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