How Many Pets (Dogs/Cats) Can You Own in Minnesota?

A pet cat and a pet dog getting along with each other

In Minnesota. as in many other states, there is no statewide law restricting the number of dogs or cats you can own. At the local level, however, there are restrictions. This means that the maximum number of dogs or cats you can legally own in Minnesota depends on where you live and the regulations there. Most Minnesota cities allow no more than 3 dogs or cats per household without a permit. To determine whether there are pet ownership restrictions in your locality, you can contact your local animal control office. Below, I've listed some Minnesota cities and the number of pets allowed per household therein.

1. Minneapolis, MN

In the City of Minneapolis, you don't need a permit to own 3 dogs or 3 cats. You also don't need a permit to keep dogs and cats in any combination that does not exceed 4 in total. However, you need a multiple-animal permit if you own more than 3 dogs or more than 3 cats. The ownership of 5 or more cats, dogs, rabbits, and ferrets in any combination also requires a permit. You may contact 311 to apply for a permit, for which the initial fee is $80. You'll pay $55 each year to renew the permit, according to the city's website. All dogs and cats over 4 months old in Minneapolis are required by law to be licensed and wear a collar to which the license tag is attached.

2. Bloomington, MN

In Bloomington, MN, no more than a total of 4 domestic animals are allowed per household. By "domestic animals," the city's municipal code means dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits. For example, you may have 4 dogs or 4 cats or a combination thereof not exceeding a total of 4. As a Bloomington dog owner, you're required to keep your pet under restraint at all times. Also, you're required by law to immediately clean from any public place any feces of your dog and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. All dog owners in Bloomington are required to license their dogs.

3. Rochester, MN

The maximum number of pets allowed per household in the City of Rochester, MN, is 8. Of these 8 animals, no more than 5 can be dogs. However, all 8 animals can be cats or ferrets. You may keep cats, dogs, and ferrets in a combination not exceeding a total of 8. All dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of four months are required by law to wear an ID tag at all times. However, your pets need not wear an ID tag if they are microchipped with the microchip data contact information kept up to date. All dog owners are prohibited from permitting their canines to run or move at large at any time within the city.

4. Duluth, MN

Without a permit, you can own no more than any combination of 5 dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits in Duluth, MN. That means each household without a permit is limited to 5 pets. Of these 5 pets, no more than 3 may be dogs. All five animals can be cats, according to the city's animal ordinance. A maximum pet exception license is required to own more than 5 household pets in Duluth, MN. This license, which is issued on a yearly basis, can be obtained from the city clerk’s office.

5. Brooklyn Park, MN

In the city of Brooklyn Park, MN, you can own 3 cats, 3 dogs, or a combination of both not exceeding a total of 3. This restriction, however, does not apply to dogs and cats under the age of 6 months. According to the city's municipal code, up to 5 pets over six months of age may be kept, provided 2 of the pets are service animals.

6. Woodbury, MN

In Woodbury, Minnesota, up to 3 pets (dogs or cats) are allowed per household without a permit. The keeping of 4 or more domesticated pets is deemed a kennel by the city's municipal code. With a kennel license, you can own more than 3 dogs or cats in Woodbury. All pet dogs of more than six months of age are required by law to be licensed. You can secure a license for your dogs from the police department. However, you don't need to secure a license for each of your dogs if you obtain a kennel license.

7. Plymouth, MN

You can own 2 dogs or 4 cats or a combination of both not exceeding a total of 4 without a permit in Plymouth, MN. In other words, each household is limited to 4 pets, with no more than 2 being dogs. All four pets, however, can be cats. If you wish to exceed this limit, you must apply for and obtain a multiple-animal license. The initial application fee for this license is set at $50 with inspection. This fee also covers the costs of individual licenses for the first 4 pets. The renewal fee for the license is $15 per year with no inspection.

8. Lakeville, MN

If you are a dog person in Lakeville, MN, the maximum number of dogs you can own without a permit is 3. Dogs under 6 months of age are not included under this restriction, according to the city code. Cat people, on the other hand, can own as many cats as they can properly care for. To own more than 3 dogs in Lakeville, MN, a kennel license is required. The City of Lakeville does not require dog owners to license their canines. Instead, the city encourages dog owners to microchip their pets. Lakeville has a leash law, requiring all dogs to be on a leash. However, you're not required to leash your dog if it is fitted with an electronic collar.

9. Blaine, MN

The city of Blaine, MN, limits each residence to 3 domestic pets. By "domestic pets," the city means dogs, cats, birds, or other animals commonly known as house pets. This means you can own 3 dogs, 3 cats, or a combination of both not exceeding a total of three in Blaine, MN. You can own more than 3 dogs or cats by obtaining a kennel license. However, in residential R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning districts, private kennels are not permitted, according to the city code. For additional information, please contact Community Standards at 763-785-6146.

10. Maple Grove, MN

If you reside in Maple Grove, MN, you are allowed to own 2 adult dogs and 2 adult cats without a permit. In addition to dogs and cats, you can own up to 6 small pets, including hamsters, mice, gerbils, white rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or hedgehogs. Furthermore, the city code allows you to own 2 rabbits, 6 pet birds, 2 ferrets, and 6 nonpoisonous small pet reptiles.

Pet ownership restrictions in other Minnesota municipalities

You don't need a kennel license to own the following number of pets in the following Minnesota municipalities:
  • St. Cloud, MN - No more than 6 domestic pets
  • Eagan, MN - Three pets per household
  • Burnsville, MN - 3 Dogs and 5 cats
  • Coon Rapids, MN - 3 Dogs and 3 cats
  • Apple Valley, MN - 3 Cats and 3 dogs
  • Edina, MN - No more than 3 adult dogs or cats
  • Minnetonka, MN - 5 Cats and 2 dogs
  • Mankato, MN - 4 Dogs. No limit on cats
  • Moorhead, MN - 4 Adult dogs and/or 4 cats
  • Cottage Grove, MN - A total of 3 dogs and cats
  • Maplewood, MN - Up to 3 dogs and 2 cats
  • Richfield, MN - 5 Domestic animals per residence
  • Andover, MN - 3 Dogs and 3 cats
  • Savage, MN - 3 Dogs and 3 cats
  • Brooklyn Center, MN - No more than 2 dogs and 3 cats
  • Fridley, MN - Three dogs or cats
  • Chaska, MN - Three dogs or cats
  • Oakdale, MN - Three dogs and/or cats
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