Animal Ordinances in South Dakota (2026)
20 rules on the books across South Dakota, 2 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.
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.
Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsNo animal may run at large in unincorporated Minnehaha County. An animal off its owner's premises and not under…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls bans letting a dog run at large off its owner's property unless it's on a leash under someone's control…
Read full rule →Breed Restrictions
Bans or special requirements for specific dog breeds, including breed-specific legislation, muzzle requirements, and insurance mandates.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsSouth Dakota expressly PREEMPTS breed-specific dog regulation statewide. Per SDCL 40-34-16 (effective 2014): 'No local…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Significant RestrictionsMinnehaha County has no breed ban. Instead, the county's Revised Animal Control Ordinance lets an Animal Control…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Significant RestrictionsSioux Falls has no breed ban: dogs are declared "restricted" or "vicious" by the police chief based on bite or attack…
Read full rule →Beekeeping
Rules for keeping bees in residential areas, including hive placement, number of colonies allowed, and registration requirements.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsSouth Dakota requires apiary registration with the State Apiarist at the Department of Agriculture and Natural…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Significant RestrictionsSioux Falls requires a $50 annual permit, a beekeeping class, and zoning eligibility before anyone can keep honeybee…
Read full rule →Exotic Pets
Which non-traditional pets are allowed or banned, such as reptiles, ferrets, potbelly pigs, and other exotic animals.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsSouth Dakota regulates possession of native wildlife and certain non-domestic mammals through SDCL Title 41 (Game, Fish…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Heavy RestrictionsMinnehaha County bans keeping exotic animals such as big cats, venomous snakes, wolves, coyotes, bears, and non-human…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Heavy RestrictionsSioux Falls outlaws keeping bears, big cats, native fur bearers, endangered species, exotic animals, or venomous snakes…
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.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsSouth Dakota does not broadly prohibit residential wildlife feeding. Baiting big game (deer, elk, antelope) for hunting…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Significant RestrictionsSioux Falls bans feeding waterfowl in city parks and bike trails, and bans keeping ice open on Covell Lake or Family…
Read full rule →Pet Limits
Maximum number of cats, dogs, or other companion animals allowed per household, including counts that trigger kennel-license requirements.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsSouth Dakota does not have a standalone animal-hoarding statute, but hoarding is prosecuted under the general…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsIn a Residential Development Area, a household cannot keep more than a combined total of four dogs, cats, or potbellied…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls limits households to four pets over six months old per lot, not counting birds or fish, unless the property…
Read full rule →Cat Rules
Rules specific to cats, outdoor roaming, feral cat colonies, leash laws (yes, some cities require them), and licensing requirements.
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.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Where veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and emergency animal-care facilities may be located, including overnight-boarding and noise buffers.