VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – All livestock was prohibited in Valley City in a new ordinance passed earlier this year and the relevant portion of the ordinance passed back in 2014.
Section 5-01-02. – Keeping livestock in city limits.
It shall be unlawful for a person to own, keep, or breed any livestock within city limits in areas not zoned for livestock. . . .etc. This was interpreted to include non-traditional livestock and domestic livestock including poultry.
The new ordinance, passed on March 5 of 2024, provides definitions to make the provisions more clear. It specifically states that poultry, including chickens, are prohibited, but that is how it has always been enforced.
City Attorney Carl Martineck said the changes were made to help the public understand the requirements, and to assist the animal control officer in enforcing the ordinance.
Below are the attached livestock ordinances for the city of Valley City.