Animal Ordinances in Weld County, CO (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Weld County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Weld County's animal code counts fowl as livestock. In the Agricultural zone a lot of at least ten acres (not in a subdivision) may keep up to 30 birds as household pets; larger flocks are governed by animal-unit limits, and agricultural poultry is protected by Colorado's Right to Farm Act.
Backyard Chickens and Fowl in Weld County
Some RestrictionsWeld County Code § 23-3-70(D)
except that on a LOT of at least ten (10) acres and not in a SUBDIVISION or HISTORIC TOWNSITE the owner or occupant shall be permitted to keep or maintain up to eight (8) HOUSEHOLD PETS of one (1) species or sixteen (16) HOUSEHOLD PETS of two (2) or more species, and up to thirty (30) birds.E.Minimum distance from OIL AND GAS FACILITIES. All BUILDINGS shall comply with the provisions of Section...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Weld County it is unlawful to fail to control a dog. "Control" means a leash or tether no more than 25 feet, a containing device, or a fully enclosed escape-proof area. A dog off the premises and not under immediate physical control is "running at large."
Weld County Dog Control and Running-at-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsWeld County Code § 14-4-10
Control means physical restraint of a dog by use of a leash or similar tether, of no more than twenty-five (25) feet in length, by the use of a containing device or by means of confinement within a fully enclosed area such as a yard or dog run from which a dog cannot escape. Control also means being in compliance with the terms of Section 14-4-20 below. County means the unincorporated portio...
Breed Restrictions
Weld County has no pit-bull or breed ban. Colorado state law, C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5)(b), lets a county adopt dog-control resolutions but forbids any rule that regulates dangerous dogs specific to breed. The county regulates individual dogs by behavior, not breed.
No Breed Bans: Colorado Preempts Breed-Specific Dog Laws
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 18-9-204.5(5)(b)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate a county's authority under part 1 of article 15 of title 30, C.R.S., to adopt dog control and licensing resolutions and to impose the penalties set forth in section 30-15-102, C.R.S.; except that any such resolution shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
Beekeeping
Weld County's animal code and zoning set no beekeeping-specific standard, so hobby beekeeping is generally treated as a permitted agricultural use on rural and agricultural land. Apiaries are registered at the state level, and established agricultural operations are shielded from nuisance suits by Colorado's Right to Farm Act.
Beekeeping Rules in Weld County
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 35-3.5-102(1)(a)
Except as provided in this section, an agricultural operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the agricultural operation alleged to be a nuisance employs methods or practices that are commonly or reasonably associated with agricultural production.
Exotic Pets
In the Agricultural zone of unincorporated Weld County, keeping, raising or boarding exotic animals is allowed only as a "use by special review" approved by the Board of County Commissioners. An exotic animal is any vertebrate other than a fish, amphibian, defined livestock, or household pet.
Exotic Animals in Weld County
Some RestrictionsWeld County Code § 23-1-90
EXOTIC ANIMAL: Any vertebrate animal except fishes and amphibians that is not defined herein as LIVESTOCK or HOUSEHOLD PET. EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION: The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the LOTS on which the MANUFACTURED HOMES are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the co...
Wildlife Feeding
Weld County has no general wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Colorado state law makes it unlawful to place food in the open to lure a wild bear. Along the Front Range edge of the county, residents should secure trash and avoid feeding deer, elk, or bears.
Feeding Wildlife and Bears in Weld County
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 33-6-131(1)
Unless otherwise permitted by commission rule, it is unlawful for any person to place food or edible waste in the open with the intent of luring a wild bear to such food or edible waste.
Pet Limits
In Weld County's Agricultural zone, household pets are limited to four of one species or seven of two-plus species per lot (eight or sixteen, plus 30 birds, on 10-plus acres). Keeping more than four dogs over six months old on ten acres or less is deemed failing to control them.
How Many Pets and Dogs You Can Keep in Weld County
Some RestrictionsWeld County Code § 14-4-20(A)
Any owner having more than four (4) dogs which are over six (6) months of age on his or her premises, if said premises consists of ten (10) acres or less or lies within a recorded subdivision, recorded planned unit development or platted townsite; or more than eight (8) dogs which are over the age of six (6) months, if said premises consists of more than ten (10) acres, at any time, shall be de...
Cat Rules
Weld County has no cat ordinance: the animal code (Chapter 14, Article IV) regulates dogs only, so cats need no county license or leash. Cats still count as household pets toward the zoning pet limit, and abandoning or neglecting a cat is animal cruelty under Colorado law.
Cat Rules in Weld County
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 18-9-202(1)(b)
Any person who intentionally abandons a dog or cat commits the offense of cruelty to animals.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary clinic or animal hospital cannot open on rural Weld County land just because the property is zoned Agricultural: Section 23-3-35.V puts them in the county's "uses allowed by permit" tier, meaning a Department of Planning Services zoning permit is required before the doors open, even outside any subdivision or historic townsite.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Permit in Weld County
Some RestrictionsWeld County Code § 23-3-35(V)
No USE listed in this Section shall commence construction or operation in the A (Agricultural) Zone District on LOTS outside of SUBDIVISIONS and HISTORIC TOWNSITES without prior approval of a land use permit from the Department of Planning Services or Department of Public Health and Environment, as applicable. ... V.Veterinary clinics or animal hospitals permitted under Division 17 of Article I...
Animal Ordinances by City in Weld County
1 cities in Weld County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Weld County ordinances
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