Animal Ordinances in LaPorte County, IN (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated LaPorte County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
LaPorte County's zoning code bans breeding or raising non-farm fowl or livestock outright in every residential and business district (R-1, R-2, R-3, LB, GB, AB, SC). Even in the Industrial, Industrial Reserve, and Agricultural districts it takes a Board of Zoning Appeals special exception, not a by-right permit.
Backyard Chickens & Livestock in LaPorte County
Significant RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 157.026 & Appendix A (Official Schedule of Uses)
APPENDIX A: OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF USES ... (B) Agricultural uses. Uses Residential Business Manufacturing Agriculture / R-1 R-2 R-3 LB GB AB SC I IR A / ... Breeding or raising non-farm fowl, animals PR PR PR PR PR PR PR SE SE SE ... Key: U Permitted use / SE Special exception / PR Prohibited use
Dog Leash Laws
LaPorte County makes it unlawful for anyone to let a dog or other domestic animal run at large in the unincorporated county. Code § 94.15 defines 'at large' as off the owner's premises and not on a leash or otherwise under effective control, with narrow exceptions for hunting and farm dogs.
LaPorte County Dogs Running at Large
Some RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 94.15
No person who owns, harbors or keeps domestic animals shall permit such animals to run at large or roam the countryside away from the premises where usually kept. The term AT LARGE means of the person owning or keeping such domestic animal and while not under the control of such person or his agent, by leash or other effective means, excepting however, hunting or working dogs, which accompanied...
Pet Limits
LaPorte County's zoning definitions at § 150.05 classify any premises keeping more than four dogs, cats, or other household domestic animals over four months old as a KENNEL, and the Appendix D use table marks kennels a Prohibited (PR) use in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts.
LaPorte County Caps Household Pets at Four
Significant RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 150.05
KENNEL. Any premises, or portion thereof, on which more than four dogs, cats, or other household domestic animals over four months of age are kept, or on which more than two of these animals are maintained, boarded, bred, or cared for, in return for remuneration, or are kept for the purpose of sale.
Cat Rules
LaPorte County requires every cat over three months old to carry a current annual rabies vaccination under Code § 94.21(A), and bars letting a cat run at large away from where it's normally kept under § 94.15. Unlike dogs, cats are not required to carry a county license, but an unvaccinated cat draws a $100 fine on top of impoundment.
LaPorte County Cat Vaccination and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 94.21
(A) No animal owner or his agents shall keep or harbor a dog or cat over the age of three months unless it has been vaccinated annually by a licensed veterinarian with an anti-rabies vaccine. (B) Proof of vaccination shall be maintained by the owner for display if requested by the county or its agents.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
LaPorte County requires every dog or cat adopted from the county animal shelter or a local humane society to be spayed or neutered. Code § 94.37(B)(1) sets a 30-day deadline for animals over six months old at adoption, and requires sterilization by six months of age for younger animals, absent a vet's medical exception.
LaPorte County Adopted-Pet Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 94.37(B)(1)
Any animal adopted from the local animal control agency or local humane society must be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days from the date of adoption if the animal is over six months of age or older. If the animal is under six months of age upon adoption, it shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian upon reaching the age of six months. An exception is made ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
LaPorte County's zoning use table splits veterinary care into two categories with different rules. A veterinary hospital for large animals is prohibited in every residential, business, and manufacturing district except Agriculture, permitted by right, and General Business, special exception only. Small-animal veterinary hospitals get more room: permitted by right in General Business, Attached Business, and Agriculture, and allowed by special exception in Limited Business.
LaPorte County Veterinary Hospital Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances Ch. 157, Appendix A (Official Schedule of Uses), Table 1
Uses Residential Business Manufacturing Agriculture R-1 R-2 R-3 LB GB AB SC I IR A Veterinary hospital for large PR PR PR PR SE PR PR PR PR U animals Veterinary hospital for small PR PR PR SE U U PR PR PR U animals Notes: Key: U Permitted use SE Special exception PR Prohibited use
Bird Protection
LaPorte County Code § 93.16(G)(1) bars hunting, trapping, or otherwise molesting any wild bird within a county park, and prohibits robbing or molesting a bird nest anywhere on park property. The ban lifts only on park land posted as a hunting area or under a limited written permit the Superintendent issues for wildlife management.
Wild Bird Protection in LaPorte County Parks
Significant RestrictionsLaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 93.16(G)(1)
(G) (1) No person within the confines of the park shall hunt, pursue with dogs, trap, or in any other way molest any wild bird or animal found within the confines of the park, or rob or molest any animal den or bird nest. Exception to this rule will only be allowed in the case of park property which has been posted as a hunting area, or when specifically written limited permits are issued ...
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