Backyard Pig Laws in Mississippi: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Keeping a pig in your backyard sounds straightforward — until you realize that the rules governing it come from at least three separate sources: state law, local zoning, and any private restrictions tied to your property. Mississippi does not have a single statewide ordinance that says yes or no to backyard pigs. Instead, the answer depends almost entirely on where you live, what your property is zoned for, and whether your neighborhood has a homeowners association.

Whether you are eyeing a potbellied pig as a companion animal or want to raise a small herd for personal use, understanding those layers before you buy can save you from fines, forced rehoming, or a code enforcement notice. This guide walks through each layer so you know exactly what to check.

Are Backyard Pigs Legal in Mississippi?

There is no statewide law in Mississippi that bans backyard pig ownership outright. Laws regarding pet pigs vary depending on the county or municipality you live in, and Mississippi generally allows residents to keep domesticated miniature pigs within certain limitations. For agricultural or rural properties, full-sized hogs are even more broadly accepted.

The practical answer, then, is: it depends. Whether you can keep a pig in a residential area depends almost entirely on your local zoning and animal control ordinances. Some cities and counties welcome pot-bellied pigs as household pets; others ban all swine from residential zones outright. A third group allows pigs under strict conditions involving permits, weight limits, and housing standards.

What the state does regulate is the movement and disease status of swine. State departments of agriculture regulate swine primarily to prevent disease outbreaks that could devastate commercial herds. These rules apply to all swine by species, and pet pigs are not exempt. Even if your city permits pet pigs, you must comply with your state’s requirements for swine ownership, which can include registration, herd marks, and disease monitoring.

Pro Tip: Before you buy a pig, call your county zoning office and your city’s animal control department. Ask specifically whether swine are permitted in your zoning district — not just whether “livestock” are allowed, since some ordinances treat those categories differently.

How Mississippi Classifies Pigs — Livestock vs. Pet

This classification question is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — aspects of pig ownership. Under Mississippi law, swine are treated as livestock, not companion animals. For purposes of the state’s animal protection statutes, the term “livestock” includes horses, cattle, swine, sheep, and other domestic animals produced for profit. That framing matters because it shapes which protections and regulations apply.

Mississippi’s Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011 was enacted specifically to protect domesticated dogs and cats. Animals other than domesticated dogs and cats are explicitly excluded from the enhanced protection described in that act, and its provisions do not apply to any animal other than a domesticated dog or cat. In other words, pigs — regardless of breed or size — do not receive the same legal standing as household pets under state law.

Because pigs are classified as livestock by species, a 50-pound potbellied pig falls into the same legal category as a 700-pound farm hog. That classification means most cities and counties ban them from single-family neighborhoods without ever specifically targeting small or companion-breed pigs. The breed does not change the legal category.

Mississippi wildlife law draws a separate line for feral animals. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks defines wild hogs as “any feral hog, wild swine, Russian boar, or any pig that is not a domesticated pet or livestock, or has a wild looking appearance or behavior.” Importing wild or feral swine into Mississippi is illegal. This means the classification of your pig as domesticated livestock — rather than feral — is not just a semantic point; it has real legal consequences.

Some municipalities have begun carving out exceptions for miniature or companion-breed pigs by creating a separate definitional category in their local ordinances. To understand the restrictions surrounding pet pig ownership, it helps to define what qualifies as a domesticated miniature pig — a term that typically refers to breeds specifically bred for companion animal purposes rather than agricultural use. If your city uses this kind of language, the breed and intended purpose of your pig may actually shift which rules apply to you locally, even if the state default remains “livestock.”

Zoning and Property Requirements for Keeping Pigs in Mississippi

Zoning is where most pig ownership questions get resolved — or rejected. Mississippi handles all land-use decisions at the local level, and there is no uniform statewide zoning code that governs swine on residential property. Because these rules are set at the municipal and county level, your neighbor one town over may face completely different restrictions than you do.

In general, agricultural (A) and rural residential zones are the most permissive. Properties zoned for farming or located outside incorporated city limits typically face few or no restrictions on keeping pigs, provided the operation does not create a nuisance. Rural residents outside city and county jurisdiction generally face the fewest restrictions. If your property is zoned agricultural or sits outside city limits with no HOA, there are likely no laws preventing you from keeping animals.

Standard residential zones — R-1, R-2, and similar single-family designations — are where pigs most often run into trouble. Many cities do not allow pet pigs inside the city limits. Some cities do allow pigs with some restrictions, such as only one pig allowed per household, requirements of particular vaccinations, and weight limitations. Setback rules are common in these zones as well, requiring that any pig enclosure be a minimum distance from property lines, neighboring dwellings, and water sources.

Pig shelters and enclosures are typically treated as accessory structures under local building codes, which means they may require a building permit and must comply with setback rules for outbuildings. It is worth a quick call to your county zoning office to confirm before you commit. Regulations do change, and what was unrestricted a few years ago may now require a permit or comply with new setback rules.

Key Insight: Zoning for pigs is often buried inside broader “livestock” or “farm animal” ordinance language rather than in a pig-specific rule. Search your city’s municipal code for terms like “swine,” “hogs,” and “livestock” — not just “pigs” — to find the relevant section.

If you also keep chickens or other backyard animals, the same zoning district rules that govern those animals will generally apply to pigs too. You can review how Mississippi municipalities handle other backyard animals in our guide to backyard chicken laws in Mississippi, which covers how cities like Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg approach residential livestock zoning.

Size, Weight, and Breed Restrictions in Mississippi

Mississippi has no statewide size, weight, or breed restrictions on pigs. Any restrictions of this kind come from local ordinances, and they vary considerably from one jurisdiction to the next.

Where cities have chosen to allow pigs in residential zones, weight caps are the most common tool used to distinguish companion animals from farm hogs. Some cities allow pigs with restrictions such as only one pig allowed per household, requirements of particular vaccinations, and weight limitations. Weight thresholds in similar jurisdictions across the South typically range from 100 to 150 pounds at full maturity, though you will need to check your specific city’s ordinance for the exact figure.

Breed is a secondary consideration. Several recognized miniature pig breeds are commonly kept as pets, including the potbellied pig. Other breeds frequently cited in companion-animal contexts include the Juliana, the American Mini Pig, and the Kunekune. However, even “mini” breeds can exceed weight limits at maturity — a potbellied pig can weigh 100 to 200 pounds fully grown — so verifying the adult weight range of your specific breed against your local ordinance is essential before purchasing.

Some municipalities also restrict the number of pigs allowed per parcel regardless of size or breed. Some towns or cities might place restrictions on the number of pet pigs allowed per household or require specific permits for ownership. A common limit in cities that allow pigs at all is one or two animals per residential lot.

Restriction Type	Statewide Rule	Local Rule
Weight limit	None	Varies by city; often 100–150 lbs where limits exist
Breed restriction	None	Some cities specify “miniature” breeds only
Number per household	None	Often 1–2 where residential pigs are permitted
Wild/feral swine	Prohibited statewide	N/A

Permits, Licenses, and Registration Requirements in Mississippi

Permit requirements for backyard pigs in Mississippi operate at two levels: local permits tied to zoning or animal control, and state-level health and movement requirements administered by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH).

At the local level, some towns require a permit to ensure compliance with zoning regulations related to livestock animals being kept on residential properties. In addition to obtaining a permit, some towns may require additional licensing for owning pigs as pets. These permits are typically issued by the city’s animal control department or planning and zoning office. Fees, renewal schedules, and documentation requirements differ by jurisdiction, so contact your city directly to get the current process.

At the state level, the MBAH oversees swine health and movement. All swine entering Mississippi must meet requirements of Title 9 — Animals and Animal Products, Chapter I — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Code of Federal Regulations. If you are bringing a pig into the state from another state, this means obtaining the appropriate health documentation before transport.

Permit requests for swine entry shall be directed to the Mississippi State Veterinarian. All international imports require a prior entry permit. The required information includes the complete name and mailing addresses of the consignor and consignee, and the Pseudorabies status of swine. You can reach the State Veterinarian’s office at 601-359-1170.

For interstate movement of pigs you already own, federal rules also apply. Under USDA regulations, all swine transported in interstate commerce must carry approved individual identification. Acceptable forms of identification include official ear tags, registered ear notches recorded with a purebred registry, and tattoos recorded with a swine registry association.

Important Note: Obtaining a local animal permit does not satisfy state health requirements, and meeting state health requirements does not substitute for a local zoning permit. You may need both, and they are issued by different agencies.

Mississippi’s exotic animal regulations are worth noting here as well. The state’s dangerous wildlife act does not apply to livestock regulated by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Domesticated swine fall under MDAC jurisdiction rather than the exotic animal permit framework, which means you are not required to obtain a wildlife possession permit for a domestic pig.

HOA and Neighborhood Restrictions on Backyard Pigs

Even if your city and county allow pigs on your property, your homeowners association may not. HOA restrictions are private contractual rules, not public law, and they can be more restrictive than any government ordinance. Homeowners associations, landlord lease terms, and even federal fair housing rules can all affect your right to keep a pig at home.

Even if your city explicitly allows backyard livestock, your subdivision’s HOA may ban them entirely through a “no livestock” clause in its covenants. Always review your HOA bylaws before purchasing animals — HOA rules can override municipal allowances on private residential lots. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes new pig owners make: assuming that a city permit is the final word.

HOA covenants typically address animals through one of three mechanisms: a blanket prohibition on livestock or farm animals, a specific list of prohibited species, or a general nuisance standard that effectively bans pigs through odor and noise provisions. Whether you can legally keep a pet pig depends on where you live, and the answer involves checking at least three separate layers of rules: local zoning ordinances, state agriculture regulations, and any private restrictions from your HOA or landlord.

One potential avenue for HOA relief involves the Fair Housing Act. If your city bans swine, an emotional support animal (ESA) letter does not give you a zoning exemption. It may, however, require your landlord or HOA to make a reasonable accommodation on their own pet rules. The distinction between a municipal ban and a private housing restriction matters enormously here, and getting it wrong can lead to an eviction or a code enforcement action that an ESA letter will not prevent.

If you live in an HOA community and want to keep a pig, the most productive path is to request a formal variance or exception in writing before acquiring the animal. Whenever possible, approach your city’s zoning council or HOA before you move in or bring a pet pig into the home. Once you have been found to be in violation, it will be more difficult to convince the officials.

For a broader look at how private restrictions interact with local ordinances across different types of backyard animals, the same principle applies whether you are keeping pigs, chickens, or other animals. Our guides on backyard chicken laws in Texas, backyard chicken laws in Arkansas, and backyard chicken laws in Alabama each show how neighboring states handle the same layered regulatory structure.

Mississippi’s dog leash laws follow a similar pattern of local variation with no single statewide rule, which reflects how the state broadly approaches animal regulation: set minimum standards at the state level, then leave most day-to-day rules to cities and counties.

The bottom line is that keeping a backyard pig in Mississippi is often legal — but the legality is not guaranteed until you have checked your zoning district, your local ordinances, and your HOA documents. Read your city’s zoning ordinance carefully to understand exactly what is and is not allowed. For states with similarly decentralized approaches to backyard animal rules, you can also compare how things work in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida. Doing the research before you buy is always easier than finding a new home for an animal you have already bonded with.