Animal Ordinances in Lincoln County, SD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, the Board of Commissioners' zoning code allows land to be used only for a purpose the applicable district lists. Agriculture, defined to include raising, breeding, or managing livestock, poultry, or honey bees, is a permitted use only in the A-1 Agricultural District. The Planning and Zoning Department enforces the district limits county-wide outside Canton, Harrisburg, Tea, Sioux Falls, and Lennox.
Livestock and Poultry Rules, Lincoln County SD
Some RestrictionsLincoln County Code §§ 154.004(A)(1), 154.021, 154.056(A)
Except as otherwise provided, no building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, or structurally altered, nor shall any structure or land be used: (1) Except for a purpose permitted in the district in which the structure or land is located; ... AGRICULTURE. The use of land for agricultural purposes including farming, dairying, raising, breeding, or management of livestock, poultr...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, County Code § 91.01 bars any animal owner from letting an animal run at large, defined as being off the owner's premises without the immediate physical control of the owner or a family member. An animal found loose is prima facie evidence the owner allowed it, and a violation of Chapter 91 is a Class 2 misdemeanor under § 91.99.
Dogs Running at Large Banned in Lincoln County, SD
Some RestrictionsLincoln County Code §§ 91.01, 91.99
§ 91.01 RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED. ... The owner of an animal shall not permit such animal to run at large. An animal shall be deemed to be running at large whenever such animal is off the premises and not under the immediate physical control of its owner, possessor, keeper, agent, servant, or a member of the immediate family thereof. Whenever an animal is found running at large, the same sha...
Breed Restrictions
Lincoln County, South Dakota does not restrict dogs by breed; instead County Code § 91.02 lets the Sheriff declare any animal vicious based on a known propensity to attack or bite. A vicious animal may leave its owner's premises only muzzled and leashed by an adult family member, and one found loose otherwise is seized and impounded, with a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty under § 91.99.
Vicious Animal Declaration Rules in Lincoln County, SD
Significant RestrictionsLincoln County Code §§ 91.02, 91.99
§ 91.02 VICIOUS ANIMALS. ... (A) An animal is declared to be vicious within the meaning of this chapter when a propensity to attack or bite human beings or other animals shall exist and is known or ought reasonable to be known to the owner. No vicious animal shall be allowed off the premises of its owner unless muzzled and on a leash in charge of the owner or a member of the owner's immediate...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Lincoln County, South Dakota's C Commercial District, § 154.117(B) allows a veterinarian clinic, animal hospital, or animal shelter as a permitted special use, but only if there is no outside kenneling of dogs. Put dogs in outdoor kennels and the use no longer qualifies automatically, pushing the clinic onto the conditional-use track the Planning Commission reviews.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning, Lincoln County SD
Some RestrictionsLincoln County Code § 154.117(B)
A building or premises may be used for the following purposes in the C Commercial District in conformance with the conditions prescribed herein or by obtaining a conditional use for such uses in conformance with the requirements of §§ 154.375 through 154.386: ... (B) Veterinarian clinic, animal hospital, or animal shelter, provided there is no outside kenneling of dogs;
All Lincoln County ordinances
See every category we cover for Lincoln County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lincoln County Ordinance Hub →