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

The maximum number of dogs or cats you can legally own in Missouri depends on where you live. That's because Missouri has no statewide law regulating the number of pets residents can have. Instead, each municipality in Missouri is tasked with enacting its own pet ownership laws. Consequently, the number of pets allowed per household in the state may vary from one city to another. In most Missouri cities, households are limited to 4 dogs or 4 cats. You can contact your local animal control office to determine the number of pets allowed per residence in your city. Here are 10 Missouri cities and the number of dogs or cats you can own in them.

1. Kansas City, MO

Each household in Kansas City, MO, may have 4 pets. These include dogs, cats, pot-bellied pigs, and ferrets, in any combination. For example, you may own 4 dogs, 4 cats, or 4 pot-bellied pigs, or any combination of these animals not exceeding 4. However, this restriction only applies to households in residential areas. In residences zoned agricultural (RA), a maximum of 25 domestic animals may be kept. If you live in a residential area and wish to own more than 4 pets, you need to obtain a domestic animal avocation permit. This permit allows you to own a maximum of 10 pets. All Kansas City pet owners are required by ordinance to license their cats, dogs, and ferrets.

2. St. Louis, MO

In St. Louis, MO, households are limited to 4 pets. Examples of pets that may be counted toward this limit include cats, dogs, pot-belly pigs, and rabbits. However, within the aggregate of four pets, only one pot-belly pig is allowed. Many exotic animals are prohibited from being kept as pets in St. Louis, MO. The city has a leash law requiring all dogs to be on a secure leash not more than six feet long when in public places.

3. Springfield, MO

Each household is limited to 4 cats and 4 dogs in the city of Springfield, MO. However, dogs and cats under four months of age are not subject to this restriction. A license is required to own more than 4 dogs in Springfield. If you are keeping your dog in a pen, such pen must not be located within 25 feet of the dwelling of another, as stipulated in the city's animal ordinance.

4. Columbia, MO

In Columbia, MO, as in many other Missouri cities, no more than a total of 4 dogs or cats over the age of 6 months are allowed per residence. All pet dogs and cats over 3 months of age are required by the city code to be vaccinated by a licensed vet. Also, all dogs and cats in Columbia, MO, are required to be licensed. When in public places, dogs over the age of 3 months must at all times wear a collar or harness to which a license tag is attached.

5. Lee's Summit, MO

In Lee's Summit, MO, no residence is allowed to have more than 3 dogs, cats, or a combination of both exceeding 3 in total. All dogs and cats must be properly vaccinated and have a current City of Lee's Summit Pet License. While outside, all dogs and cats are required to be contained at all times by either fence, leash, or tether. Any dog that barks, howls, or whines in an excessive manner can be deemed a public nuisance, according to the city's website.

6. O'Fallon, MO

The city of O'Fallon's municipal code allows no more than 3 pets over the age of 3 months per household. The only exception to this restriction is if you obtain written permission from all surrounding adjacent property owners. In which case you may own more than 3 pets. All dogs must properly be vaccinated against rabies, as required by the city code. What's more, you must not allow your dogs to be a public nuisance or disturb the peace of any person.

7. St. Charles, MO

In St. Charles, MO, a Domestic Avocation Permit is required to have more than 3 cats, 2 dogs, or 4 of any combination of such animals. To be granted this permit, 75% of property owners within 75 feet of your property line must be OK with you keeping more than 3 cats or 2 dogs. In addition, your property must be inspected and approved by the city. The fee for the Domestic Avocation Permit is $20 per year, according to the city's Animal Control Services.

8. St. Peters, MO

The city of St. Peters allows a total of three pets per household. A dog and cat each count as one pet. Five chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, or other rodents over the age of 3 months, or any combination thereof, count as one pet. Two additional foster pets are allowed in addition to the three pets. The two foster pets must be obtained from an animal shelter registered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Puppies and kittens under the age of four months are exempted from the pet limit calculation, according to the city's website.

9. Joplin, MO

No more than a combined total of 4 adult dogs and cats are allowed per household in the city of Joplin, MO. You may keep a litter of puppies or kittens produced by your adult dog or cat for a period of up to ten weeks. A special use permit and a $75 kennel license are required to own more than 4 dogs or cats in Joplin, MO. According to the city code, a kennel mustn't be situated closer than 50 feet to another dwelling.

10. Chesterfield, MO

On residential properties within Chesterfield, MO, no more than 4 dogs or 6 cats may be kept, according to the city code. If you are keeping both dogs and cats, they should not exceed a combined total of 6. Of the 6 animals, no more than 4 may be dogs. For example, you may keep 4 dogs and 2 cats, 3 dogs and 3 cats, or 6 cats and 0 dogs.