If you're located in an area zoned other than agricultural, you need to make sure goats and sheep are permitted before keeping them in your backyard. This involves checking your municipality's animal ordinances or giving your zoning or animal control office a friendly call. Meanwhile, the Missouri municipalities listed below permit backyard goats and sheep.
Kansas City, MO
In Kansas City, Missouri, goats and sheep are deemed livestock animals. Per Chapter 14, Sec. 14-12 of the City Code, you should not keep any livestock animal within 200 of any residence, except for your own residence. Additionally, you may not keep more than two livestock animals on your property. Your livestock animal pen or enclosure should comply with all zoning restrictions. Furthermore, you should restrain your livestock animals in such a manner and by such means as to prevent them from escaping, straying, or running at large. The distance requirement and the restriction on the number of livestock do not apply to you if you reside in the RA district.
Springfield, MO
Goats and sheep are permitted in Springfield, Missouri, according to Chapter 18, Sec. 18-14 of the City Code. However, you're required to adhere to certain guidelines. For starters, an area of 21,780 square feet is required for each animal. Additionally, your goat or sheep outdoor enclosure should not be situated within 100 feet of the dwelling house of another, a church, a school, or a business establishment. Furthermore, the City Code prohibits the keeping of goats or sheep in such a manner as to allow them to get on a sidewalk or in a street.
Columbia, MO
In Columbia, Missouri, an area of one-half acre is required for each goat or sheep kept in the City. Additionally, the exterior boundary of your animal enclosure should not be within 100 feet of the dwelling house of another or a place of business, without the written consent of the occupant of such buildings. However, according to the City Code, the director may, upon proper application, grant you a variance or waiver with terms and conditions.
Independence, MO
In Independence, MO, goats and sheep are considered livestock and may be kept under certain conditions within the city limits. According to the City Code, no livestock owner should permit their animals to roam at large in the city. Per SEC. 3.02.005 of the City Code, it's unlawful for you to keep livestock in a building used as a residence. You're required to keep them in a pen or enclosure located more than 75 from any residential building other than your own. A maximum of 2 goats or sheep is allowed per property and an area of 21,780 square feet of land (1/2 acre) should be provided for each animal.
Lee's Summit, MO
In Lee's Summit, Missouri, you can have backyard goats or sheep, provided your property meets the distance-from-residence requirement. Per Chapter, Article IV, Sec. 5-58 of Lee's Summit's municipal code, your animal enclosure should be situated more than four hundred feet from any neighboring residence. The animals should be confined to your property and not be allowed to run at large in the City. A petition started by Kendon McBee seeks for the current animal ordinance to be amended to allow the safe and sanitary keeping of mini goats and sheep without the distance-from-residence requirement. As of the time of this article, the petition has received 207 signatures out of the 500 goal.
St. Joseph, MO
In St. Joseph, Missouri, goats and sheep are required to be kept more than 100 feet from any building or structure of any kind used for human habitation. St. Joseph's animal ordinance prohibits the running at large of sheep and goats within the City. All goat and sheep pens or enclosures should at all times be kept in a clean condition, as required by ordinance.
St. Peters, MO
You can own goats or sheep with a Domestic Animal Avocation Permit on a lot zoned for single-family residential in St. Peters, Missouri. The permit application form is provided by the Health Manager. According to the City Code, your application should include, among other information, a description of the species, breed, weight, and age of the domestic animal you intend to keep.
Chesterfield, MO
Goats and sheep are considered farm animals in Chesterfield, Missouri. To own farm animals in the City, you need to have at least two acres of land, as required by the City Code. Having met that requirement, you should keep your sheep or goats in an enclosed area to prevent them from leaving your property.
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