Animal Ordinances in Olmsted County, MN (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the R-1, R-2 and RSD districts of unincorporated Olmsted County, keeping chickens requires a Zoning Certificate, and roosters are banned outright regardless of permit status. Coops must sit at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling, stay under 10 square feet per bird, and be screened with a four-foot fence or landscaped buffer. Keeping chickens without a valid permit is a petty misdemeanor.
Backyard Chicken Permit Rules in Olmsted County
Significant RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 10.51.A, D
A. Chickens Limited: It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor chickens on any premises unless issued a Zoning Certificate to do so as provided in this chapter. No permit shall be issued for the keeping of any rooster chicken on any premises. ... D. Confinement: Every person who owns, controls, keeps maintains or harbors hen chickens must keep them confined at all times in a chicken coop ...
Dog Leash Laws
Olmsted County has not adopted a county-wide leash ordinance for ordinary dogs, but the new Olmsted County Dangerous Dog Ordinance (Chapter 2600, Resolution 26-01, adopted February 2026) and the Chapter 2500 Rabies Control Ordinance apply countywide in unincorporated areas. Dangerous dogs must be kept in a proper enclosure or muzzled and restrained by a substantial leash under physical control of a responsible person, per Minn. Stat. 347.52. Cities like Rochester and townships like Cascade Township have their own leash laws requiring all dogs to be under restraint when off the owner's property. Report violations to the Olmsted County Sheriff at 507-328-6800.
Dog Leash Laws in Olmsted County
Some RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances Chapter 2600, Dangerous Dog Ordinance, Sections 2606.02 and 2607.03 (Resolution No. 26-14, adopted Feb. 3, 2026)
2606. OWNING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG. 2606.02. Proper Enclosure. An owner of a potentially dangerous dog shall keep the potentially dangerous dog in a proper enclosure while the dog is on the owner's property. If the dog is outside the proper enclosure, the dog must be restrained by a substantial chain or leash and under the physical restraint of an owner or a responsible person. 2607.03. P...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary office or animal clinic is a permitted use, no conditional use permit required, in Olmsted County's Commercial Service (CS) District, grouped with doctors, dentists and other personal-service businesses under Section 8.02; it's also allowed as a home business in the county's agricultural districts.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Olmsted County
Light RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 8.02(A)(2)(e)
Section 8.02 COMMERCIAL SERVICE DISTRICT (CS): The purpose of this District is to provide within the Comprehensive Plan Urban Service Area suitable locations for the convenience shopping and personal services of persons residing in relatively close proximity of these commercial facilities. ... A. Permitted Uses: ... 2. Services: a) Attorney, Doctor, Dentist, Financial, Insurance, Real Estate, A...
Animal Ordinances by City in Olmsted County
1 cities in Olmsted County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Olmsted County ordinances
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