Can You Own Goats or Sheep in Wyoming?

A kid goat resting in an enclosure

In Wyoming, the zoning district in which you live and the size of your property will determine whether or not you can own goats or sheep. In some Wyoming municipalities, goats and sheep are restricted to agriculture or rural zones. To keep goats or sheep in some residential zones, a permit is required. Regardless of the district in which you live, it is advisable to check with your local animal control, code enforcement, or zoning office before keeping any goats or sheep on your property. Take the following Wyoming municipalities' animal-keeping ordinances for example.

Douglas, WY

Per Title 6, Sec. 6.04.080 of the City of Douglas' Code of Ordinances, a permit is required to keep goats and sheep in all zoning districts, except the A agriculture and RR rural residential districts. Keeping goats and sheep without a permit in any zoning district other than A or RR is deemed a nuisance.

Laramie, WY

Goats and sheep are permitted in all zoning districts in Laramie, Wyoming. Per the Laramie City Code, a lot of one-quarter acre (10,890 square feet) is required for each livestock unit. According to the city code, three goats or three sheep or any combination of both not exceeding three in total are equivalent to one livestock unit. For each additional livestock, an additional one-fourth acre is required. You're required to keep your livestock enclosure, fence, or pen at least 20 feet from other residences. Further, you're required to keep your livestock enclosure, fence, or pen in good repair and in a clean condition.

Sheridan, WY

Under certain conditions, you can have goats and/or sheep on your property in Sheridan, Wyoming. According to the City's municipal code, you may not keep your goats or sheep within 100 feet of any dwelling house within the city. Additionally, you may not permit your sheep or goat to run at large within the city.

Evanston, WY

The keeping of goats and sheep is permitted within the Agricultural Zones and Open Space Zones of the City of Evanston, Wyoming. According to Evanston's zoning code, one goat or sheep is allowed per acre of land in those zones. A female goat or sheep and her newborn are considered one animal until the time the newborn is weaned or six months. Thereafter, both the mother and her kid will be considered two animals.

Green River, WY

A permit is required to own goats or sheep in the City of Green River, Wyoming. Per Chapter 6, Sec. 6-2 of Green River's municipal code, the permit authorizing the keeping of livestock or hoofed animals as pets within the city limits is issued by the city administrator at his sound discretion. Unless specifically allowed in the permit, livestock or hoofed animals are limited to one per household or residence. However, the city administrator will grant a permit only if he determines that the animal will not be a health or safety risk to the owner or citizens.

Riverton, WY

Goats and sheep are permitted in the R-2A and the AG districts within Riverton, Wyoming. In residential R-2A districts within the city, one livestock unit is permitted per one-half acre of land. Livestock animals in residential R-2A districts are required to be kept under conditions that comply with all applicable health, sanitation, nuisance, and safety ordinances of the city. In the AG agricultural district, any form of agricultural activity is permitted, but excluding commercial livestock facilities, which require a permit.

Worland, WY

In Worland, Wyoming, goats and sheep are required to be kept enclosed in a good substantial pen. Further, such substantial pens should be located more than 100 feet from any school, church, hospital, residence, or dwelling. This distance requirement, according to Worland's municipal code, does not apply to dwellings or residences located in areas zoned as ER estate residential. A minimum of 10,000 square feet of yard space is required per animal.

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