10 rules for unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Jefferson Parish's animal code sets no fixed limit on backyard chickens or other fowl kept on private property, but fowl and poultry may not run at large, and where they roam onto streets or a neighbor's land they may be impounded. Placement and number are governed by the Chapter 40
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-1(a)
It shall be unlawful to permit any cattle, horse, swine, sheep, goat, poultry or other livestock of any description to roam or run at large or be upon any street, alleyway, highway, common or public square, or on the property of any neighbor, except with his or her consent.
In Jefferson Parish, no dog may be on any street, alleyway, highway, common, or public square unless under the immediate control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash no longer than six (6) feet. Owners must otherwise keep dogs confined or humanely secured.
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-21(b)
No dog shall be permitted to run or be upon any street, alleyway, highway, common or public square unless under the immediate control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length.
Jefferson Parish's animal code is breed-neutral: it does not ban pit bulls or any specific breed. Instead, any dog can be declared a dangerous or vicious animal based on its behavior, which triggers strict ownership requirements such as spay/neuter, microchipping, secure enclosure, warning signage, and $100,000 liability insurance.
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-160(b)(1)(iv)
Procure liability insurance in the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), covering any property damage or bodily injury which may be caused by such vicious or dangerous animal.
Jefferson Parish's animal code (Chapter 7) contains no beekeeping ordinance; the former beekeeping article is reserved. Hive keeping is governed by the Chapter 40 zoning ordinance and nuisance rules, and by state law. Louisiana's Right to Farm law and apiary program apply, so verify your zoning district and register hives
Jefferson Parish flatly bans keeping the most dangerous wild or exotic species (Class 1, such as big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, and wolves). Class 2 species require a $150 permit from JPAWS, and only Class 3 animals (common reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, small birds) may be kept without a JPAWS
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-25(a)
No person shall keep any wild or exotic species of land animals, reptiles, or birds, warm or cold blooded that falls under Class I designated by the Jefferson Protection and Animal Welfare Services' "Rules for Wild or Exotic Animals."
Jefferson Parish prohibits intentionally feeding waterfowl (ducks, geese, and other amphibious birds) by making food available on private property or within 20 feet of a public street or residence. Tossing bread, corn, or other feed on the ground for waterfowl is treated as prohibited feeding.
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-219(a)
It shall be prohibited to harm, harass, and/or intentionally feed waterfowl by making food available for consumption on private property or on public property within a radius of twenty (20) feet of a public street and/or residence within the territorial limits of Jefferson Parish.
In unincorporated Jefferson Parish, keeping more than two (2) hogs, pigs, or swine for more than 24 hours is deemed livestock and must follow the Chapter 40 zoning ordinance. Cattle, horses, goats, and other livestock may not run at large or be on a neighbor's property, and may be impounded
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-179
More than two (2) hogs, pigs and/or swine which are kept, maintained, reared, or bred etc. for any period exceeding twenty-four (24) hours on a premises in the unincorporated area of the parish, shall be deemed as livestock.
Jefferson Parish does not have a standalone hoarding ordinance, but keeping more animals than you can properly care for is enforced through its cruelty and neglect provisions. Owners must supply adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and tethering an animal as its only confinement is itself treated as cruel
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-126(b)
No animal shall be tethered as a means of stationary confinement; such stationary confinement by tethering shall be considered as cruel treatment.
Jefferson Parish's animal code sets no fixed limit on the number of dogs or cats a household may own. Instead, all dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months old must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, and keeping too many animals to care for properly can be enforced as cruelty, neglect, or
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-66
It shall be the duty of the owner or keeper of every dog, cat or ferret over four (4) months old to register same with the Jefferson Protection and Animal Welfare Services by purchasing a dog, cat or ferret license.
Jefferson Parish licenses cats like dogs and regulates outdoor feeding of feral or community cats. On residentially zoned property, food left out for feral cats may not stay accessible longer than 30 minutes at a time (90 minutes per 24 hours), gravity feeders are banned, and fed cats must be
Jefferson Parish Code § 7-33(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person or property owner to place or allow food to be placed or left outdoors and accessible for consumption by feral or community cats, on any residentially zoned property for longer than thirty (30) minutes, except when a cat is actively feeding or when a human is immediately present and supervising the food.
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