Animal Ordinances in Washington County, MN (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Washington County, any accessory structure that shelters chickens, goats, cattle or other domestic farm animals needs a building permit (or a Certificate of Compliance in the Shoreland and St. Croix River overlay districts) and must meet fixed setbacks: 100 feet from any property line and 50 to 200 feet from wells, residences and surface water, per Development Code Chapter Two, Section 1.2.
Washington County Farm Animal Structure Setbacks
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Two, Part 2, Section 1.2(D)
(D) Domestic Farm Animals. Accessory structures used to shelter domestic farm animals shall meet the following requirements: 1. All domestic farm animal structures, feedlots and manure storage sites shall be setback as follows: Any property line 100 feet ... Any existing well or residential Structure on the same parcel 50 feet ... Any existing well or residential Structure on adjacent or nearby...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs and other pets in Washington County parks must be caged or kept on a leash no longer than 12 feet, connected to the person responsible for the animal. Parks Ordinance No. 218, Chapter IV, Section 2(d) sets the leash rule, and pets are barred outright from conservation areas and several developed-park zones.
Washington County Park Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MN Parks Ordinance No. 218, Chapter IV § 2(d)
allow a pet to be in a park unless caged or kept on a 12-foot leash that is connected to the individual responsible for the pet, except in areas designated by the Director
Wildlife Feeding
Chapter V, Section 2(b) of Washington County's Parks Ordinance No. 218 makes it unlawful to feed any wildlife or feral animals in a county park, covering deer, geese, raccoons and stray cats alike, with no permit exception written into the clause.
Washington County Bans Feeding Wildlife in Parks
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MN Ordinance No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to: ... b. feed any wildlife or feral animals in a park; or c. release or abandon any animal within a park or conservation area without a use permit.
Coyote Management
Washington County's Parks Ordinance No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2 gives the Parks Director discretionary authority to initiate wildlife population management techniques, such as culls, in county parks and conservation areas when needed, but names no specific animal like coyotes or deer.
County May Manage Wildlife Populations in Parks
Significant RestrictionsWashington County, MN Ordinance No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2
The Director may initiate wildlife population management techniques, as needed, to control and manage animal populations within the park or conservation area to provide for the overall health and safety of the park, conservation area, park or conservation area users, and park or conservation area natural resources.
Bird Protection
Washington County's park ordinance (No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2) makes it unlawful to kill, trap, hunt, harass or disturb any species of wildlife, including birds, in a county park or conservation area, except in areas the Director designates for hunting.
Washington County Bans Harming Birds in Parks
Significant RestrictionsWashington County, MN Ordinance No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2 (definition at Ch. I, § 3(y))
It shall be unlawful for any person to: a. kill, trap, hunt, remove, harass, pursue or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed, any species of wildlife, or byproduct of wildlife, except as permitted in designated areas... "Wildlife" means any living creature, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation, power of voluntary motion, including but not limited to mammals, birds, fish, a...
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