Animal Ordinances in Kenton County, KY (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Kenton County, Kentucky.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kenton County law requires anyone who keeps livestock to provide adequate shelter under Chapter 90, and makes it unlawful to let livestock run at large in the unincorporated county. Owners face impoundment, reimbursement of capture costs, and citation fines starting at $25. The zoning ordinance that sets lot-size or number limits for keeping livestock is published separately by the area planning commission, not in this chapter.
Kenton County Livestock Shelter and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances §§ 90.01, 90.14(C)
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit, display or keep any animal without providing adequate food, adequate water, adequate shelter or medical attention. ... ADEQUATE SHELTER, LIVESTOCK. Adequate shelter shall be provided to all livestock. The shelter shall be either natural or constructed, and must provide relief from the elements. Accepted natural shelters are natural windbreak f...
Dog Leash Laws
Kenton County Code § 90.15(A) makes it unlawful for any owner to let a dog or other animal run at large in the unincorporated county. Section 90.01 defines restraint as fencing, a leash, chain, or cable tie-out, or staying on the owner's property under a responsible person's control.
Kenton County Dogs Must Be Restrained
Some RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances §§ 90.01, 90.15(A)
Section 90.15(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any animal owned or harbored by him or her, to run at large. ... RESTRAINT. Enclosed in an area by a form of fencing designed to control the movement of the animal or secured by a leash, chain or cable tie-out. An animal shall be deemed to be restrained if it remains on the premises of its owner or if it is accompanied by a responsi...
Breed Restrictions
Kenton County's animal code regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed. Section 90.01 expressly states an animal is not deemed vicious solely because of its breed, and the vicious-animal rules in § 90.15(B) and § 90.99(B)(2) apply the same way regardless of breed.
Kenton County Has No Dog Breed Ban
Few RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances §§ 90.01, 90.15(B), 90.99(B)(2)
VICIOUS ANIMAL. ... (7) Exceptions. An animal shall not be deemed vicious solely because: ... (d) Its breed or assumed/known component of its breed. ... Section 90.15(B) It shall be unlawful to own or possess a vicious animal. ... Section 90.99(B)(2) first offense of owning or possessing a vicious animal. In addition to any penalties imposed, the court shall order one of the following: (a) That...
Exotic Pets
Kenton County Code § 90.16 bans owning, harboring, keeping or selling any wild or exotic animal, foreign or native, as a pet unless it has been approved for sale or retention by the appropriate state and federal agencies and any required permit has been obtained.
Kenton County Wild and Exotic Animal Permits
Significant RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances § 90.16
Section 90.16 WILD AND EXOTIC ANIMALS. (A) It shall be unlawful to sell, own, harbor or keep as a pet, a wild or exotic animal, not indigenous to the United States, unless the animal has been approved for sale or retention by appropriate state and federal governmental agencies and any required permits have been obtained. (B) It shall be unlawful to sell, own, harbor or keep as a pet, a wild ani...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Kenton County does not require owners countywide to spay or neuter their pets. The mandatory spay/neuter duty in § 90.11(C) applies only to dogs and cats adopted from the county Animal Shelter, which must be surgically altered to prevent breeding before the adoption is final.
Kenton County Shelter-Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances § 90.11
Section 90.11 ADOPTION AND MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER. (A) Prior to the adoption of any animal from Animal Services an application must be completed by the person wishing to adopt the animal. ... (C) All dogs and cats adopted from the Animal Shelter must be surgically altered to prevent breeding.
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