Owning a Pet In the City of Sauk Rapids

If you have/want pets, the Land Use Regulations contain a few rules you'll want to know.

The zoning ordinance defines a kennel as an enclosure designed or used to house pets outdoors, not including fenced yards. (City Code, Chapter 10, Section 10.02, Subd. 2)

If your property is zoned R-1, Single Family Residence District or R-2, Two Family Residence, kennels are a permitted accessory use. The code states, "kennels, used to house pets owned by the occupants of the principal structure, located no further than 15 feet from the principal structure and no closer than 10 feet from any adjoining property lot line" are allowed. (City Code, Chapter 10, Section 10.08, Subd. 2H)

Call the Community Development Director at (320) 258-5315 to confirm the zoning of your property.

There is a "Limitation on Number of Dogs and Cats in Residential Areas. No more than two (2) dogs and four (4) cats, which must be licensed, may be kept or harbored or possessed on any premises within the City of Sauk Rapids." (City Code, Chapter 4, Section 4010, Subd. 5A).

Please see City Code, Section 4.10 for other information on exceptions and enforcement, etc.

Friendly Pet Reminders From the Sauk Rapids Police Department

At long last, spring has arrived and people and their pets will be spending more time outside enjoying the nice weather. The City of Sauk Rapids would like to remind all owners/caretakers of any dog or cat in the City that it is their responsibility to prevent any pet from being on any street, boulevard, sidewalk, public park, school grounds, public place, or upon the private property of another without the consent of the owner unless a license tag is attached to the collar on the animal and the animal is restrained by a leash or chain.

It is also the responsibility of the person having control of the dog or cat on public or private property to have in their possession the equipment, such as a scoop and/or a plastic bag, for picking up and immediately removing any feces of the animal and to dispose of the feces properly.

--City Ordinance Section 4.10, Subd. 14 and 15