10 rules for unincorporated Lake County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Lake County, chickens and domestic fowl are an accessory use allowed at up to one bird unit per acre (a bird unit equals 32 chickens). Fowl must be kept in the rear yard, roosters are banned, and on-site slaughter is prohibited. Farms need 20+ acres; hobby farms 2.5+
Lake County UDO No. 2560, Sec. 154-9-060
A maximum of one bird unit is allowed per acre of lot area, based on the bird unit equivalencies established in Table 9-3. [32 Chickens = 1 Bird Unit] The keeping of roosters is prohibited.
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 Code Sec. 90.20
An owner or keeper of an animal shall not cause, suffer, or allow the animal to be at large.
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 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.
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
Lake 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.
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.
Lake 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.
Lake County's animal-control code sets no specific ban on feeding wild animals like deer or geese; that is governed by state law and by your city. The county does require that anyone feeding an animal do so without creating a public nuisance, and prohibits keeping wild animals without a waiver.
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.
Lake 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.
Lake County's animal-care code requires owners to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical care, and to keep animals free of odor and health hazards. Keeping many animals triggers a kennel/cattery permit. Violations of care standards or unpermitted large-scale keeping are enforced as nuisance and cruelty offenses.
Lake County, IN Code Sec. 90.02(B)(17)
An owner or keeper of an animal shall keep the animal in a sanitary manner by regularly and as often as necessary maintaining all animal areas or areas of animal contact so as to prevent odor or health and sanitation problems.
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
Lake 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.
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
Lake 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.
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