Animal Ordinances in Lake County, IN (2026)
10 rules for unincorporated Lake County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Lake County, keeping horses and farm animals is prohibited except on traditional farms (20+ contiguous acres) or hobby farms (2.5+ acres). Hobby farms are capped at one animal unit for the first 2.5 acres plus one more per additional two acres. Traditional farms have no numeric livestock cap.
Keeping livestock in Lake County IN
Some RestrictionsLake County UDO No. 2560, Sec. 154-8-030.B.3
Hobby farms are limited to one animal unit for the first 2.5 acres of land area, based on the animal unit equivalencies in Table 8-1. One additional animal unit is allowed per each additional 2 acres of parcel area.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Lake County, dogs may not run at large. An owner or keeper must not cause, suffer, or allow an animal to be at large, meaning unconfined and not under a competent person's control. Dogs in open truck beds must be leashed. Incorporated cities set their own leash rules.
Lake County IN dog leash and at-large rules
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code Sec. 90.20
An owner or keeper of an animal shall not cause, suffer, or allow the animal to be at large.
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Lake County imposes breed-specific rules on pit bulls. When not confined, a pit bull must be muzzled and leashed on a four-foot leash attached to an escape-proof harness. Keepers must carry $50,000 liability insurance, post "Beware of Dog" signs, and file photos with the County Clerk.
Lake County IN pit bull restrictions
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code Sec. 90.39(A)
When a Pit Bull dog is not being confined in a pen or kennel or indoors, the dog shall be: (1) Muzzled...; (2) Securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length... attached to an escape proof commercial quality walking harness.
Beekeeping
Unincorporated Lake County allows backyard beekeeping as an accessory use. Up to four hives are permitted, plus one more per 2,500 sq ft of lot over 10,000 sq ft, with no limit above 4.5 acres. Hives go in the rear yard, set back 20 feet (10 feet with a flyway
Beekeeping rules in Lake County IN
Some RestrictionsLake County UDO No. 2560, Sec. 154-9-050.C
The maximum number of beehives permitted is 4, plus one additional hive for each 2,500 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet. There is no limit on the number of beehives permitted on lots over 4.5 acres in area.
Exotic Pets
Unincorporated Lake County bans keeping wild animals without a Director's waiver, even if you hold a state or federal permit. Wild animals include alligators, foxes, big cats, monkeys, wolves, and venomous or constricting snakes. A $75 annual waiver fee applies, plus warning signage at each entrance.
Exotic and wild animals in Lake County IN
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code Sec. 90.02(B)(21)
Absent a waiver by the Director, a person shall not own or keep a wild animal, regardless of any state or federal permit allowing the keeping of the animal. This division does not prohibit the treatment of an injured wild animal by a licensed veterinarian or a licensed rehabilitator of wild animals. (Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006) Penalty, see § 90.99
Pet Limits
Lake County Code sets no flat cap on household dogs or cats, but any person keeping animals must register them, and keeping enough animals to run a kennel or cattery requires an annual permit. Kennel/cattery permits are tiered by count, starting at $75 for one to ten animals. Cities may
How many pets you can own in Lake County IN
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code Sec. 90.20 (fee schedule)
Kennel/cattery: One to ten animals $75 annually; Eleven to 20 animals $100 annually; Twenty-one to 40 animals $200 annually; Over 40 animals $500 annually.
Cat Rules
Unincorporated Lake County requires dogs and cats over six months old to be vaccinated annually for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and to wear a collar or harness when off the owner's property. Cats, like all animals, may not be at large. Cats must be registered, and the rabies mandate
Cat rules in Lake County IN
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code Sec. 90.02(B)(19)
Dogs and cats over the age of six months must be vaccinated annually by a licensed veterinarian for rabies. Dogs and cats must wear a collar or harness when outside the owner's property. (20) Vicious animals. A person shall not own, keep, or harbor a vicious animal; provided, this section shall not apply to an animal under the control of a law enforcement or military agency. For the pur...
Microchipping
Lake County Animal Control treats a microchip as valid proof of ownership when a lost dog or cat is impounded. A chipped animal is held ten working days before it becomes county property, versus three days for one with no identification at all.
Microchip ID for Impounded Pets in Lake County
Light RestrictionsLake County, IN Code § 90.06(A)(1), (B) (Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006)
Animal Control shall undertake reasonable steps to locate the owner of any impounded domestic animal with apparent sign of ownership, such as an identification tag, animal license tag, rabies tag, tattoo, and/or microchip. ... An impounded domestic animal shall become the property of Animal Control if unclaimed: (1) After being held ten working days for an animal with apparent sign of ownership...
Pet Store Rules
Lake County requires a pet shop permit for anyone selling dogs, cats or other animals, bars sale of a puppy or kitten under eight weeks old, and forces shops to give buyers a written health and medication record at the time of sale.
Pet Shop Permit Rules in Lake County
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code § 90.14(A), (I) (Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006)
(A) A person owning or operating a pet shop as defined in this chapter shall obtain a pet shop permit. ... (I) No puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks may be offered for sale, trade, or other compensation, or for free giveaway, except where custody of the puppy or kitten is surrendered to Animal Control.
Pet Groomer Rules
Anyone operating a pet grooming shop in unincorporated Lake County must hold a grooming shop permit from Animal Control, keep the shop open to inspection during business hours, and may require proof of rabies and other vaccinations before accepting an animal.
Grooming Shop Permit Rule in Lake County
Some RestrictionsLake County, IN Code § 90.13 (Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006)
(A) A person owning or operating a grooming shop as defined in this chapter shall obtain a grooming shop permit. (B) A person owning or operating a grooming shop shall have the right to request that a dog or cat accepted for grooming be vaccinated against common diseases, including a rabies vaccination, and to require proof of the vaccinations be furnished to the shop owner or operator. (C) A p...
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