Moving to Cheyenne, WY?
Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.
Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Cheyenne across 20 categories and 74 specific rules we track.
π Short-Term Rentals
If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.
Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsCheyenne regulates short-term rentals through the Unified Development Code Section 5, requiring zoning compliance and a city business license before listing a dwelling on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo within city limits.
Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsShort-term rental hosts in Cheyenne must ensure guests comply with the city quiet hours and general noise ordinance, with repeated complaints potentially triggering permit review by Planning and Development under nuisance provisions.
Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsShort-term rentals in Cheyenne must collect and remit Wyoming sales tax plus the local lodging tax, which combined approaches eight percent for stays under 30 days, paid through Wyoming Department of Revenue filings.
Insurance Requirements
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not impose a minimum liability insurance mandate on short-term rentals, but operators are strongly advised to carry commercial short-term rental coverage because standard homeowner policies typically exclude transient lodging.
Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsCheyenne ties short-term rental maximum occupancy to bedroom count and building code egress, with the UDC and adopted IBC limiting total guests to ensure life-safety standards in dwellings used for transient lodging.
Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsCheyenne short-term rentals must provide off-street parking under UDC standards, with the number of spaces tied to bedroom count and operators expected to direct guests away from disruptive on-street overnight parking.
Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not impose a primary-residence-only restriction on short-term rentals citywide, though some specific zoning districts in the UDC may differentiate between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied transient lodging uses.
π₯ Fire Regulations
Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.
Outdoor Burning
Some RestrictionsCheyenne restricts open burning of trash and yard waste, allowing only small recreational fires in approved containers. Cheyenne Fire Rescue can issue red-flag bans during High Plains wildfire conditions.
Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Fire Rescue allows residential fire pits and chimineas burning clean dry wood when kept small, attended, and at safe setbacks from structures, fences, and overhanging vegetation.
Propane Storage
Some RestrictionsCheyenne follows Wyoming-adopted International Fire Code propane rules, capping residential cylinder storage and requiring tank setbacks from structures, doorways, and ignition sources at private homes.
Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsCheyenne prohibits the discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits year-round, including around Independence Day and Cheyenne Frontier Days, with enforcement by Cheyenne Police and Cheyenne Fire Rescue.
Brush Clearance
Some RestrictionsCheyenne requires property owners to control tall weeds and dry brush that pose fire or pest risks under Title 8 nuisance and Title 6 building rules, with abatement and lien remedies available.
Wildfire Zones
Some RestrictionsCheyenne is not in a designated wildland-urban interface zone like mountain towns, but High Plains grass fires and F.E. Warren AFB perimeter fires drive seasonal red-flag warnings and burn restrictions.
π Animal Ordinances
Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.
Chickens & Livestock
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Title 4 allows limited backyard chickens on residential lots with a permit, while roosters and most livestock are restricted to agricultural-zoned parcels under the Unified Development Code.
Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCheyenne does not impose a blanket pit bull ban but uses dangerous-dog procedures under Title 4 with mandatory secure confinement, liability insurance, and registration once a dog is declared dangerous.
Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Title 4 requires dogs off owner property to be leashed and under control. Dogs running at large are impounded by the contracted Cheyenne Animal Shelter and the owner must pay redemption fees.
Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsCheyenne Title 4 prohibits keeping most wild and exotic animals such as big cats, venomous reptiles, primates, and bears within city limits, with limited exceptions for licensed educational facilities.
Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsCheyenne discourages and may prohibit intentional feeding of deer, foxes, raccoons, and other wildlife where it creates a nuisance or attracts predators, working alongside Wyoming Game and Fish habituation rules.
π Environmental Rules
Stormwater Management
Some RestrictionsCheyenne operates an MS4 stormwater program under EPA Phase II. Construction sites disturbing one acre or more need stormwater permits, and illicit discharges to storm drains feeding Crow Creek are prohibited.
Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsCheyenne requires erosion and sediment control on graded sites because High Plains winds and summer thunderstorms move loose soil rapidly. Silt fencing, mulching, and stabilized exits are standard for active construction.
Flood Zones
Some RestrictionsCheyenne participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Crow Creek and Dry Creek floodplains carry Special Flood Hazard Area designations, and substantial improvements within them must meet elevation standards.
Climate Emergency Mobilization
Few RestrictionsCheyenne has not adopted a binding climate emergency declaration or formal climate action plan. Sustainability efforts are limited to specific operational measures rather than a comprehensive citywide greenhouse gas reduction policy.
Defensible Space
Some RestrictionsCheyenne and Laramie County properties in grass-fire-prone areas are urged to maintain defensible space. Tall dry grass, cured cheatgrass, and brush near structures fuel fast-moving High Plains wildfires under chinook winds.
π± Cannabis Regulations
Dispensary Zoning
Heavy RestrictionsCannabis dispensaries are illegal anywhere in Cheyenne because Wyoming has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana under Wyo. Stat. 35-7-1031, leaving zoning moot since possession and sale remain criminal statewide.
Cannabis Delivery Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMarijuana delivery is illegal in Cheyenne because Wyoming has no legal cannabis market under Wyo. Stat. 35-7-1031, and out-of-state delivery into Wyoming triggers state and federal trafficking exposure.
Home Cultivation
Heavy RestrictionsHome cultivation of marijuana is a crime in Cheyenne because Wyo. Stat. 35-7-1031 prohibits manufacturing the drug, with no medical or personal-use exception, and no Cheyenne ordinance can override the state ban.
π Rental Property Rules
Just Cause Eviction
Few RestrictionsCheyenne and Wyoming do not require just cause for residential eviction at end of lease. Landlords may decline to renew for any non-discriminatory reason, with statutory notice periods for non-renewal and grounds-based mid-lease termination.
Rent Control
Few RestrictionsCheyenne and Wyoming do not impose any form of residential rent control or rent stabilization. Landlords may set initial rent and renewal rent at market rates without statutory caps, subject only to the lease terms negotiated with tenants.
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Few RestrictionsCheyenne and Wyoming do not prohibit landlord refusal to accept Section 8 housing choice vouchers or other government rental assistance as a source of income, leaving voucher acceptance entirely voluntary for landlords.
Rental Registration
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not operate a citywide mandatory rental registration program for long-term residential rentals, relying instead on complaint-based code enforcement under the building, fire, and property maintenance ordinances.
Security Deposit Rules
Some RestrictionsWyoming statute governs Cheyenne security deposits, requiring return within 30 days of termination minus itemized deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond ordinary wear, and other lease-permitted charges.
π³ Tree Protection
Tree Removal Permits
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Tree Code Title 12 Section 2.4 regulates trees in the public right-of-way and parks. Removal, planting, or major pruning of street trees requires city approval through the Urban Forestry program.
Parkway Planting
Few RestrictionsCheyenne Urban Forestry maintains an approved species list for parkway and street tree planting. Selections favor wind-tolerant, drought-resistant, salt-tolerant trees suited to High Plains soils and severe winters.
π§ Building Safety
Lead Paint
Some RestrictionsCheyenne homes built before 1978 often contain lead-based paint. Federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting rules apply, while Wyoming and Cheyenne add disclosure obligations and contractor licensing.
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Some RestrictionsCheyenne follows Wyoming-adopted International Building and Fire Codes, requiring fire sprinklers in most new commercial and multi-family construction but typically exempting one and two-family detached homes.
Pest Control
Some RestrictionsCheyenne building and health rules require structures to be reasonably rodent and pest resistant, with screens, sealed openings, and sanitary food and trash storage to prevent infestations under Title 8 standards.
Elevator Maintenance
Some RestrictionsWyoming regulates elevators statewide through the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety, with annual inspections required for elevators in Cheyenne commercial and multi-family buildings.
π¬ Tobacco & Vaping
Tobacco Age Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWyo. Stat. 35-9-202 sets twenty-one as the minimum age to buy tobacco, vape, and nicotine products in Cheyenne, mirroring the federal Tobacco 21 floor and applying to all retail sales and online deliveries.
Vape Retail Rules
Some RestrictionsCheyenne vape shops must hold a Wyoming tobacco retail license, comply with the age-21 sale rule, and follow state nicotine-product packaging and advertising restrictions, with local zoning controlling location and signage.
Flavored Tobacco Bans
Few RestrictionsCheyenne has not banned flavored tobacco or vape products, and Wyoming imposes no statewide flavor restriction beyond federal FDA premarket review limits, leaving menthol cigarettes and flavored vape generally available to adults.
ποΈ Single-Use Items
Plastic Bag Rules
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not regulate plastic carryout bags, and Wyoming has neither preempted nor banned local bag rules at the state level, so retailers are free to provide plastic, paper, or reusable bags without local fees.
Polystyrene Foam Rules
Few RestrictionsCheyenne has no polystyrene foam container ban, and Wyoming has not legislated on expanded polystyrene takeout packaging, so restaurants and grocers may freely use foam clamshells, cups, and trays without city restrictions.
πΌ Employment Preemption
Minimum Wage Preemption
Few RestrictionsWyoming sets minimum wage at the federal floor of seven dollars twenty-five cents per hour under Wyo. Stat. Β§27-4-202, and state law preempts cities including Cheyenne from enacting higher local minimums.
Paid Leave Preemption
Few RestrictionsWyoming has no statewide paid sick leave or paid family leave mandate, and the state has not authorized cities like Cheyenne to enact local paid leave rules, leaving employee leave entirely to employer discretion or federal FMLA.
π Immigration Policy
ποΈ Homelessness & Encampment Rules
Sit-Lie Rules
Some RestrictionsCheyenne enforces general public-conduct ordinances under Title 9 prohibiting obstruction of sidewalks and public ways. Officers may direct individuals to move when blocking pedestrian traffic, especially in the downtown core near Capitol Square.
Encampment Sanitation
Some RestrictionsCheyenne addresses homelessness primarily through the Comea Shelter on Stinson Avenue and prohibits unauthorized camping in city parks and on public property under Title 9, with outreach coordinated through Laramie County human services.
π΄ Mobility & Curb Rules
Bike Lane Rules
Few RestrictionsCheyenne maintains designated bike lanes on selected arterials plus the Greater Cheyenne Greenway shared-use trail network. Cyclists must follow Wyoming traffic law and yield to pedestrians on multi-use paths.
Shared E-Scooter Rules
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not currently host a shared e-scooter or e-bike fleet. Personal e-scooters are allowed on most streets and lanes following Wyoming low-power vehicle rules, with helmet recommendations for younger riders.
π§ Water Use Rules
Leak Reporting Duty
Few RestrictionsBOPU customers can report water main breaks, hydrant leaks, or service line losses 24/7. Customers may request a one-time bill adjustment for hidden leaks once repaired, supporting High Plains water conservation goals.
Lawn Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) enforces seasonal outdoor watering schedules. Even/odd address day rotations apply during summer, with no watering between 10am and 6pm to limit High Plains evaporation losses.
Turf Replacement Rebates
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not mandate turf removal but supports xeriscaping with native High Plains species. BOPU and city planning encourage low-water lawns to reduce summer demand on the Crow Creek and Little Snake systems.
πΊοΈ Zoning Overlays & Bonuses
Specific Plans Overview
Some RestrictionsThe 2017 Unified Development Code governs Cheyenne zoning. Districts span low-density residential, mixed-use downtown, commercial corridors, industrial near Union Pacific, and overlay zones reflecting the F.E. Warren AFB ICBM mission.
Density Bonus Law
Few RestrictionsCheyenne's UDC provides limited density and mixed-use incentives, especially in downtown and identified mixed-use districts. There is no statewide affordable housing density bonus mandate comparable to Colorado or California programs.
Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not have a formal transit-oriented communities program. Cheyenne Transit Program runs limited fixed-route bus service, so transit-adjacent zoning incentives are modest compared to large metro areas.
π©Ί Public Health Rules
Syringe Disposal
Few RestrictionsCheyenne has no mandatory sharps disposal ordinance for residents, but CLCHD recommends rigid puncture-proof containers, and improperly discarded syringes in trash or parks can trigger nuisance and litter enforcement.
Healthy Food Retail
Few RestrictionsCheyenne has no healthy-food retail mandate, calorie-posting rule, or sugary-drink restriction beyond federal labeling, leaving stocking and menu choices entirely to private operators within Wyoming health code limits.
Calorie Labeling
Few RestrictionsCheyenne adds no local calorie-labeling rule on top of federal FDA chain-restaurant menu posting, so independent restaurants and small chains under twenty locations operate without any calorie-disclosure mandate.
Food Handler Certification
Some RestrictionsWyoming follows the FDA Food Code Person-In-Charge model rather than mandating a state-issued food handler card, so Cheyenne restaurants must keep a certified manager on-site but line staff need only employer training.
Restaurant Grade Cards
Some RestrictionsCheyenne restaurants are inspected by the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department under WY food safety code, with reports posted publicly though Cheyenne uses no formal letter-grade placard system at the door.
Bed-Bug Rules
Some RestrictionsCheyenne lacks a dedicated bed bug ordinance, so infestations are handled under WY landlord-tenant habitability and city nuisance principles, generally placing remediation duty on landlords for multi-unit properties.
Rodent Control
Some RestrictionsCheyenne property owners must keep premises free of conditions that harbor rats and mice under the city health and sanitation chapter, with CLCHD able to order abatement when infestations spread or persist.
π¨ Hotels & Lodging
Transient Occupancy Tax
Some RestrictionsCheyenne charges a 4 percent city lodging tax on stays under 30 days plus the 4 percent Wyoming state lodging tax, totaling about 8 percent on hotel and short-term rental bookings, with no general sales tax addition.
Hotel Worker Retention
Few RestrictionsCheyenne does not impose hotel worker retention or living wage ordinances, leaving hotel labor governed by federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services rules, and individual employer-employee agreements.
πͺ Business Licensing & Operations
Adult Entertainment
Heavy RestrictionsCheyenne regulates adult-oriented businesses through Title 3 business regulation provisions, requiring special licensing, distance buffers from schools and churches, and operational rules limiting hours and conduct on premises.
Massage Establishments
Some RestrictionsCheyenne requires massage businesses to hold a city business license, while individual therapists must obtain Wyoming state massage therapy licensure under WY Stat. Title 33 administered by the WY Board of Massage Therapy.
Tobacco Retail License
Some RestrictionsTobacco retailers in Cheyenne must hold WY Department of Revenue tobacco licenses under Wyo. Stat. Title 39 ch. 18, comply with federal Tobacco 21 floor, and follow city business registration requirements through the Clerk.
Secondhand Dealers
Some RestrictionsCheyenne secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers must register with the city, maintain transaction logs, hold purchased property for police inspection, and report transactions to assist Cheyenne PD recovery of stolen property.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Some RestrictionsCheyenne UDC restricts commercial auto repair in residential zones, allowing only minor repairs to vehicles owned by residents while prohibiting business operations, customer traffic, and storage of inoperable vehicles on residential property.
π· Public Conduct
Public Alcohol Use
Some RestrictionsCheyenne prohibits open alcohol containers on public streets, sidewalks, and parks under Title 5 beverage code and Title 9 public peace provisions, with exceptions during permitted special events like Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Aggressive Panhandling
Some RestrictionsCheyenne Title 9 public peace ordinances prohibit aggressive solicitation involving threats, blocking pedestrians, panhandling near ATMs, or persistent following, while protecting passive sign-holding solicitation as protected speech.
Skateboarding Rules
Some RestrictionsCheyenne restricts skateboarding, rollerblading, and similar wheeled recreation in the downtown business district and at public buildings, with Cheyenne Skate Park at Lions Park providing a designated facility for riders.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Few RestrictionsWyoming has no statewide indoor smoking ban, leaving Cheyenne with limited smoking restrictions primarily covering city facilities, parks, and entrances to public buildings, while bars and many restaurants permit smoking inside.
Public Marijuana Use
Heavy RestrictionsWyoming has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana, making any possession or use illegal statewide under Wyo. Stat. Title 35 ch. 7, with Cheyenne enforcing both state law and local public conduct rules through CPD.
Overall: What to Expect in Cheyenne
Cheyenne has 74 ordinances on file across 20 categories. Of these, 25 are rated permissive, 41 moderate, and 8 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Cheyenne compared to other cities.
Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.