Can You Own a Goat or Sheep in North Dakota?

The keeping of goats and sheep is permitted in virtually all rural or agricultural zones within North Dakota. In residential zoning districts, not so much. In the City of Fargo, for example, the keeping of goats and sheep is currently permitted only in the AG-Agricultural District. Therefore, your location within the Peace Garden State will determine whether or not you can have backyard goats or sheep. 

You can contact your city's Planning & Zoning office or local Animal Control to find out whether your neighborhood permits the keeping of goats and sheep. Alternatively, you can search for your city's municipal code or zoning ordinance online. For example, the following two North Dakota municipalities permit goats and sheep.

West Fargo, ND

In West Fargo, ND, farm animals including goats and sheep are allowed to be kept only on lots of two acres. One goat or sheep is allowed for the first two acres, plus one additional animal for each additional acre of lot area, according to ordinance no. 1221.

Williston, ND

In Williston, ND, you can have pet goats or sheep, provided you reside in any of the following districts: Rural Residential Estate (R-1E), Agricultural (A), or Rural Residential (R1-A) zoning districts. In the R-1E zone, a minimum of five acres is required for the first four animal units, plus one additional animal unit per acre of land over five acres. In the Agricultural (A) or Rural Residential (R1-A) zoning districts, two animal units are permitted for the first three acres of land, plus one additional animal unit is allowed for each acre over three. For more details, please refer to Williston's Code of Ordinances.