Animal Ordinances in Kent County, DE (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Kent County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kent County allows poultry, pigeons, ducks and similar animals only on lots of at least 15,000 square feet, capped at five birds under County Code § 205-34. Coops must sit in the rear yard, at least 25 feet from side and rear lines, with four square feet of pen space per bird, and roosters are banned off working farms.
Kent County Backyard Poultry and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsKent County, DE Code § 205-34
The keeping of poultry, pigeons, ducks, and similar animals, and enclosures for the keeping of such animals, shall be governed by the following regulations: A. Keeping of such animals shall not be permitted on lots smaller than 15,000 square feet in lot area. B. No more than five such animals shall be permitted on a residential lot. C. Poultry shall be registered with the Delaware Department of...
Exotic Pets
Kent County Code § 205-35 makes it unlawful to possess any dangerous animal, including animals exotic to Delaware, anywhere in the unincorporated county. Zoos, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians and animal shelters are exempt, and owners who already had an exotic animal before the ban may keep it only with a Delaware Department of Agriculture permit obtained within 30 days.
Kent County Ban on Dangerous and Exotic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsKent County, DE Code § 205-35
It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of any dangerous animal(s) within the unincorporated area of Kent County... Exemptions: (1) This provision shall not apply to a property/person legally constituted (permitted), such as a zoological park, licensed wildlife rehabilitator, licensed veterinarian, bona fide educational or medical institution, animal shelter as defined by 7 Del....
Pet Limits
Kent County Code § 205-36 caps every household in the unincorporated county at four domestic pets over six months old. The limit sits in Chapter 205's Article IV general provisions alongside the county's separate poultry, livestock and dangerous-animal rules, and violations are prosecuted under the chapter's general misdemeanor penalty.
Kent County Limit on Domestic Pets Per Household
Some RestrictionsKent County, DE Code § 205-36
No household shall keep more than four domestic pets over the age of six months.
Pet Groomer Rules
Kent County zones dog grooming, training and day-care establishments as a conditional use in the Agricultural Conservation and Agricultural Residential districts, but a permitted by-right use in the Neighborhood and General Business districts under § 205-53. § 205-67I bars overnight boarding at any such establishment, and grooming is excluded from the separate commercial kennel license category.
Kent County Dog Grooming and Day Care Zoning
Some RestrictionsKent County Code § 205-54 (definitions) and § 205-67I(1)
DOG GROOMING/TRAINING/DAY CARE ESTABLISHMENT A location where domestic pets are groomed, washed, cut or otherwise physically maintained. No overnight boarding is contemplated with this use. ... Dog grooming/training, day care establishment. (1) There shall be no overnight boarding of animals.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Kent County zones veterinary offices and animal hospitals under its 'commercial kennel' use category, which needs site-plan-backed conditional approval in the Agricultural Conservation and Agricultural Residential districts and permitted-with-conditions status in General Business, under § 205-53. § 205-67G sets 100- and 300-foot buffers plus round-the-clock on-site security for the use.
Kent County Veterinary and Animal Hospital Zoning
Significant RestrictionsKent County Code § 205-54 (Commercial Kennel definition) and § 205-67G(1)-(3)
COMMERCIAL KENNEL - Any building or land used for the housing, breeding, training or care of animals for commercial purposes. This use includes animal hospitals. A kennel license is required for all commercial kennels. ... All kennels and runs are located at least 100 feet from any adjoining property line and 300 feet from any dwelling not located on the subject parcel. There will be twenty-fou...
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