Animal Ordinances in North Dakota (2026)
26 rules on the books across North Dakota, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Chickens & Livestock
Combined rules for keeping chickens and other livestock such as goats, rabbits, and ducks on residential property, including lot size requirements.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Dakota is a fence-in state: no livestock may be permitted to run at large. An owner or possessor who willfully…
Read full rule →Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo bans keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine within city limits unless the property is zoned…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Significant RestrictionsThe City of Grand Forks bans backyard livestock outright and permits backyard fowl only under a health-department…
Read full rule →Dog Leash Laws
When and where dogs must be on a leash, off-leash park rules, leash length limits, and penalties for dogs running loose.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires dogs off their owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, or the owner faces a…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Grand Forks, City Code Section 11-0121 requires every dog to be kept under restraint by leash, cord…
Read full rule →Cass County
Few RestrictionsCass County, ND does not have a countywide dog leash ordinance and does not operate an animal control department for…
Read full rule →Breed Restrictions
Bans or special requirements for specific dog breeds, including breed-specific legislation, muzzle requirements, and insurance mandates.
Beekeeping
Rules for keeping bees in residential areas, including hive placement, number of colonies allowed, and registration requirements.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Dakota requires every beekeeper to obtain an annual state license and register apiary locations with the…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks allows backyard beekeeping only with a permit from the Public Health Department. City Code Section 11-0220…
Read full rule →Exotic Pets
Which non-traditional pets are allowed or banned, such as reptiles, ferrets, potbelly pigs, and other exotic animals.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNorth Dakota regulates exotic and nontraditional livestock under NDCC 36-01-08.2, requiring state licensing for…
Read full rule →Fargo
Heavy RestrictionsFargo prohibits keeping monkeys, wolves, big cats, poisonous snakes, and other wild or exotic animals as pets or for…
Read full rule →Wildlife Feeding
Rules about feeding wild animals like deer, coyotes, or feral cats, and requirements for securing trash to prevent wildlife encounters.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsThe North Dakota Game and Fish Department prohibits baiting deer on most state and federal lands and restricts feeding…
Read full rule →Fargo
Heavy RestrictionsFargo prohibits feeding deer anywhere within city limits, defining feeding as leaving out a half cubic foot or more of…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Heavy RestrictionsThe City of Grand Forks bans feeding deer inside city limits. City Code Section 11-0219 makes it unlawful for anyone to…
Read full rule →Pet Limits
Maximum number of cats, dogs, or other companion animals allowed per household, including counts that trigger kennel-license requirements.
Cass County
Some RestrictionsCass County's Animal Control Ordinance #1998-3 makes it a public nuisance to keep any animal in an unsanitary or…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo households may keep no more than six dogs and cats combined per dwelling, with a police-permit exception for…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsThe City of Grand Forks caps the number of cats and dogs a household can keep. City Code Section 11-0123 makes it…
Read full rule →Cat Rules
Rules specific to cats, outdoor roaming, feral cat colonies, leash laws (yes, some cities require them), and licensing requirements.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires every cat over four months old to be licensed and kept off its owner's property only on a leash. Loose…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Grand Forks, every dog and cat over six months old must carry a city license, and any dog or cat running…
Read full rule →Microchipping
Mandates that dogs and cats be microchipped before leaving a shelter or by a certain age, including registration and tag requirements.
Coyote Management
How your city handles urban coyotes, including hazing protocols, feeding bans, and what residents should do when sighting one near homes.
Pet Store Rules
Restrictions on retail pet sales, including bans on commercially bred dogs and cats and rescue-only sourcing requirements.
Pet Groomer Rules
Health and safety standards for commercial pet grooming, including animal-handling certifications, sanitation, and zoning where mobile groomers may operate.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Where veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and emergency animal-care facilities may be located, including overnight-boarding and noise buffers.
Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo zoning bars animal hospitals, kennels, stables, and other animal care or boarding facilities from operating as…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Grand Forks, a small animal clinic is a permitted use in the B-1 limited business district under City…
Read full rule →Bird Protection
Local rules protecting specific bird species (LAMC §53.55), including penalties for trapping or harming protected species and bird-safe building design.