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

Nebraska, like many other states, has no statewide law regulating the number of pets residents can own. However, each municipality within the Cornhusker State has local ordinances regulating pet ownership. As a result, the number of dogs and cats households can have in Nebraska varies from one city to another. Therefore, the allowable number of dogs or cats you can own in Nebraska depends on where you live. You can give your local animal control office a friendly call to determine the allowable number of pets in your locality. Meanwhile, I've listed in this article a few Nebraska municipalities along with their pet ownership laws.

1. Omaha, NE

In Omaha, Nebraska, each household is limited to 3 dogs and 5 cats without a permit. To own more than 3 dogs or 5 cats, a pet avocation permit is required by the city code. With this permit, you can own up to 5 dogs and up to 6 cats. All dog and cat owners in Omaha are required to license their pets. Cats and dogs are also required to at all times wear a durable collar or harness to which the license tag is attached. Pit bulls are considered dangerous animals in Omaha. Therefore, all pit bull owners in the city are required to have evidence of a current and effective minimum $100,000 public liability insurance policy.

2. Lincoln, NE

In Lincoln, NE, households are allowed to have up to 3 adult dogs without a permit. If you have over one acre of land, you can obtain a Multi-Dog Household Permit to own up to 5 dogs. There is a limit of 5 adult cats per household within the city limits. A multi-cat household or cattery permit is required to own up to 15 cats. All cats and dogs must be vaccinated and licensed, as required by Lincoln's municipal code.

3. Bellevue, NE

A total of 3 dogs and/or cats over the age of 6 months is allowed per residential or dwelling unit in Bellevue, Nebraska. A pet avocation permit is required to own up to 5 dogs and up to 5 cats in the city. All dogs and cats over four months of age in Bellevue must be vaccinated and licensed. Additionally, all dog and cat owners in the city are required by ordinance to at all times keep their pets under restraint.

4. Grand Island, NE

In Grand Island, NE, no more than 4 dogs and/or cats over 3 months of age are allowed per residential property. Aside from dogs and cats, the keeping of up to 15 rabbits and 30 birds is allowed on residential properties, per City Ordinances. All dog, cat, and ferret owners in Grand Island must have their pets vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed vet.

5. Kearney, NE

Each household is limited to 4 dogs or 4 cats in the city of Kearney, Nebraska. However, puppies and kittens under 4 months of age do not count toward the maximum number of dogs or cats allowed. All dogs in Kearney are required by law to be at all times kept under restraint by their owner. Unless under the control of a competent person, dogs must not be allowed to be at large off of the premises or property of their owner. Furthermore, all dogs in Kearney, NE, must have a current rabies immunization tag.

6. Fremont, NE

Per Fremont Municipal Code, A maximum of 3 dogs and/or 5 cats over the age of four 4 months is allowed per residential or dwelling unit in the city. To exceed these limits, a pet animal avocation permit is required. This permit allows you to own a maximum of 5 dogs and no more than 6 cats. If you are keeping both dogs and cats, they should exceed a combined total of 8, as stipulated in the city code. All owners of dogs and cats in the City of Fremont are required to pay an annual pet license fee for their pets.

7. Norfolk, NE

No more than 4 dogs, cats, or any combination of both animals exceeding a total of 4 are allowed per residence or dwelling in Norfolk, Nebraska. Puppies and kittens under the age of 90 days are exempted from this restriction, per the city code. All cats and dogs 3 months of age or older within the city are required to be vaccinated against rabies and have a license.

8. Hastings, NE

Households are limited to 4 dogs or 4 cats in Hastings, Nebraska. A dog or cat's offspring under the age of 4 months does not count toward the maximum number of dogs or cats allowed. You need to obtain a kennel license from the City if you wish to own more than 4 dogs or cats. All cats and dogs kept within the City of Hastings must be licensed and registered on or before April 1 of each year, according to the city code.

9. Columbus, NE

In Columbus, NE, you may have no more than a total of 6 pets. Of these 6 pets, no more than 3 may be dogs and no more than 4 may be cats. You may, for example, have 3 dogs and 3 cats or 4 cats and 2 dogs. If you're a dog person in Columbus, NE, you can't own more than 3 dogs. If you are a cat person, the maximum number of cats you can own is 4. If you love both animals, you can keep them in a combination not exceeding 6, with no more than 3 being dogs. This restriction only applies to residential properties within the city. Per the city code, you can own 5 rabbits and up to 15 birds in addition to dogs or cats.

10. Papillion, NE

Each residential unit in the City of Papillion is limited to 4 adult animals. By "adult animal," the city code means a dog or cat that is more than four months old. With a cattery license, you can own up to 10 cats in the city. All dogs and cats over 4 months of age within this City must be vaccinated and obtain a license.