Animal Ordinances in Porter County, IN (2026)

Porter County UDO, Chapter 12: Definitions, p. 12-23 ("Hobby Farming")

Hobby Farming: The use of land for purposes, including: dairying, pasturage, apiculture, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry. Processing and storage of harvested produce or other end products shall not be allowed on site. The hobby farming use shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the land area of the lot and shall abide by all setback regula...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 4-9 (Animals running at large prohibited)

No owner of any dog or domestic pet shall permit such dog or domestic pet to run at large, except domestic cats may be allowed to run loose off the owner's premises so long as the cat does not create a public nuisance, is spayed/neutered, and in the case of wild/feral cats is ear-tipped to indicate its altered status. Each owner of any dog or domestic pet shall, at all times, keep and maintain ...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 4-8 (Dangerous animals)

It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor any dangerous animal without keeping such animal securely confined on the owner's or keeper's premises and under such restraint that persons lawfully on the premises, or elsewhere, may not be attacked or bitten by such animal. The premises where such an animal is kept shall be adequately posted with warning signs... A dangerous animal ...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 4-13 (Trap-neuter return guidelines)

The county animal control division or its designee, in order to encourage the stabilization of the free-roaming cat population, otherwise known as feral cats, and may: (1)Trap any free-roaming cat in a humane manner; (2)Have the cat surgically sterilized, ear-tipped, and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian; and (3)Release the cat to the county animal shelter for adoption or oth...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 4-12(f) (Redemption of impounded animals)

An animal that has been previously impounded and is now being redeemed for the third or subsequent redemption within a 12-month period is required to be: (1)Implanted with a microchip at the owner's expense for the purpose of future identification and recovery; and (2)Spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense prior to the county animal shelter relinquishing the animal...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 4-12(f)(1) (Redemption of impounded animals)

An animal that has been previously impounded and is now being redeemed for the third or subsequent redemption within a 12-month period is required to be: (1)Implanted with a microchip at the owner's expense for the purpose of future identification and recovery... The owner of the animal shall be informed of the requirements in subsection (f)(1) and (2) of this section when they request relinqui...

Porter County Code of Ordinances § 12-282

(a)Retail sale of dogs, cats or rabbits by pet shops prohibited.(1)It shall be unlawful for a pet shop to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit.(2)A pet shop may provide space for the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits that are available for adoption only if such animals are displayed and made available for adoption by an animal rescue organization and all of the following conditions are ...

Porter County UDO §5.21 HO-01(G)(1)

G. Exclusions: The following uses are not permitted as home occupations under any circumstances: 1. Animal hospital;