Miniature goats or sheep may be allowed as pets in some cities. For example, the City of Duluth allows residents to own mini goats or sheep as pets with a license. If you live in a residential area and are considering having pet goats or sheep, you might want to first contact your local Zoning Office or Animal Control to determine whether farm animals are permitted in your neighborhood. Meanwhile, you can have backyard goats or sheep in the following Minnesota municipalities.
Maplewood, MN
In Maplewood, Minnesota, female and castrated male goats and sheep are permitted. Bucks (intact male goats) and rams (intact male sheep) are prohibited. Up to 4 goats or sheep are allowed per parcel of 10,000 square feet or less. For every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet, one additional goat or sheep is permitted, up to a maximum of 75 goats or sheep per parcel.
Per Chapter 10, Article X, Sec. 10-497 of Maplewood's City Code, every goat or sheep owner should erect a fence to contain and confine all goats and sheep kept on the premises. Additionally, all sites on which goats or sheep are kept should be kept in a clean, sanitary condition. Goats or sheep shouldn't be kept in such a manner as to create a nuisance to neighboring property owners.
St. Paul, MN
A "Keeping of Animals Permit" from the Department of Safety and Inspections is required to own sheep and goats in St. Paul, Minnesota. Per the City's Keeping of Animals Regulations, an application for a permit should be accompanied by written approval from 75% of property owners within 150 feet of the outer boundaries of the applicant’s property. For the minimum living space requirements for each animal sheep or goat, contact Saint Paul Animal Control via their website.
Duluth, MN
A license is required to keep small hoofed mammals like mini/pygmy goats or sheep in the city of Duluth. In addition, the principal uses of your property should be a one-family or two-family dwelling on a lot greater than 2 acres. As a license holder, you may keep no more than three miniature goats or sheep on your property. You may not slaughter any goat or sheep on your property. Duluth's municipal code requires that mini goats and sheep be provided with a secure and well-ventilated roofed structure.
Bloomington, MN
In Bloomington, MN, you can keep goats and/or sheep on your property, provided you have the required space for each animal. Bloomington's municipal code requires every goat or sheep owner to have at least one acre per animal. Goats or sheep may be kept in combination or in addition to four household pets (dogs and cats). For example, on a property of one acre, one goat or sheep may be kept in combination or in addition to four household pets. Goats and sheep are not permitted on properties with three or more dwelling units.
The slaughtering of goats or sheep is prohibited on residential properties. Goats or sheep owners should live on the same property as the animals. Furthermore, keeping goats or sheep for breeding purposes is not allowed on residentially used or zoned properties.
Lakeville, MN
In Lakeville, Minnesota, the keeping of goats for the purpose of prescribed grazing is permitted on properties not defined as farms. Goats are not allowed as household pets in the City. An Administrative Permit is required for the keeping of grazing goats in the City. By ordinance, you're required to live on the property for which the administrative permit is issued. A maximum of 2 goats is allowed per every 0.10 acre of lot area. The keeping of un-neutered male goats over six months of age is prohibited.
Prescribed grazing with goats is also allowed in Eagan, MN, Burnsville, MN, Cottage Grove, MN, Maplewood, MN, Inver Grove Heights, MN, and North Mankato, MN.
Maple Grove, MN
In Maple Grove, MN, the keeping of goats and sheep is permitted in the R-A and R-1 zoning districts. In the R-A (Residential-Agricultural) district, a maximum of 20 sheep or goats is allowed per acre of land. In the R-1 (Single-Family Residential) district, a property of at least 1.5 acres, but less than two acres is required for the keeping of goats or sheep. Up to four goats or sheep are allowed per 1.5 acres in the R-1 district. For additional details, please refer to Chapter 6, Sec. 6-17 of Maple Grove's municipal code.
Minnetonka, MN
Under the City of Minnetonka's municipal code, goats and sheep are classified as "Farm Animals." A property at least one acre in size is required to keep farm animals in the city. The number of farm animals allowed per acre is based on animal weight. Goats and sheep over 100 pounds are classified as "Large Farm Animals." No more than one large farm animal is allowed per acre.
On the other hand, "Small Farm Animals" are defined as farm animals weighing 100 pounds or less. African Pygmy goats and miniature sheep can be considered small farm animals, as they typically weigh less than 100 pounds. A maximum of 5 small farm animals is allowed per half acre.
Orono, MN
In Orono, Minnesota, the keeping of goats and sheep for non-commercial purposes is permitted as an accessory use in the RR-1A and RR-1B rural residential zones. In those two zones, a permit is not required to own goats or sheep. A conditional use permit is required for the keeping of sheep and goats in all other residential zoning districts.
Three sheep or goats equal one animal unit. To keep one animal unit, you need to have at least one acre of land for your home plus one additional acre for the animal unit. In essence, a minimum of two acres of land is required for the keeping of goats and sheep in the city. For every additional acre of dry, buildable land, one additional animal unit is permitted. If you have questions, please contact the city's Planning and Zoning Department at 952-249-4620 or visit the Orono farm animal ordinance.
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